Читать книгу Records, Historical and Antiquarian, of Parishes Round Horncastle онлайн

26 страница из 79

The church, dedicated to St. Peter, was for some years in an unsatisfactory condition, but during recent years it has been gradually undergoing restoration. It was formerly larger than it is now, having had a north aisle. The tower was half taken down towards the close of the 18th century, and rebuilt, the plinth of the tower buttress on the south side of the west door being said to be the original one of the 12th century. There are three bells. In 1896 the chancel was taken down and extended about 6ft. in length, the interior face of the walls being constructed of rubbed sandstone, in courses obtained from a quarry in the parish. The exterior character of the old work was carefully preserved, and a dressed stone plinth-course inserted. The old east window with wooden framework was removed and a stone traceried window introduced, filled with tinted glass. The floor was paved with encaustic tiles in place of ordinary bricks, and the communion table raised 18 inches above the body of the church, by three steps. A new altar rail of oak, with standard of wrought-iron and brass, was put up, and the roof was made of open timbers covered with match boards and slates. This work was done by Mr. R. Mawer, builder, of Louth, under the direction of Messrs. Mortimer and Son, architects, of Lincoln. The entire cost was defrayed by the present rector. Since then other improvements have been effected. The tower, in a dangerous condition, was partly taken down in 1898, and the bells rehung in new oak framework. A handsome altar cloth was presented by Lady Wigan. The nave floor has now boards in place of the old damp and unsightly bricks. It has been supplied with new seating of pitchpine. This work was entrusted to Messrs. Thompson & Sons, of Louth, and is thoroughly satisfactory. Inspired by these efforts, a generous donor, Mrs. Woodall, presented a massive oak lectern in memory of her parents who for many years worshipped in this church, and the whole fabric is now at length, through the exertions of the rector, liberally seconded by Mrs. Graham, a credit to the parish. Old features of interest in the church are the chancel arch, which is Early English; and in the south chancel wall, near the reading desk, is also a three-light Early English window, containing some fragments of very old glass, the new east window being a copy of this. In the north wall of the nave are two bays of the former aisle blocked up, with a grinning figurehead between the arches. In a frame affixed to the north wall is the text, from Eccl. v., 1, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools.” The font is old, having an octagonal bowl, with plain shields on each face, the shaft also being octagonal and standing on a pediment of three steps. In the south wall of the chancel, outside, is a mutilated slab bearing an inscription in memory of “Samson Meanwell, who departed this life Feb. 17, 1744, in ye 63 yeare of his age.” Nearly opposite the west door is a very old yew-tree, which may well have supplied the village archers with their bows in the days of Crecy, Poictiers, and Agincourt. The benefice is now held jointly with that of Goulceby. It was formerly in the gift of the Dymokes. Dame Jane Dymoke presented in 1711 and 1725. She also gave church plate. The patronage then passed to the Crown, who presented in 1771 and 1784, after which the Trafford Southwell family acquired it, with the manor, and presented in 1807.