The National School was built by subscription and government grant in 1836, at a cost of about £230, exclusive of the site, which was given by the late Sir Gilbert Heathcote. It was enlarged in 1875 at cost of £300. The master has £3 per annum, left by the Rev. R. Kelham in 1719, also the dividend of £100 3½ per cent. reduced consols, bought by the bequest of the Rev. Mr. Boawre, Rector, in 1784. The charities are Banks, _viz._ £2 a year from land in Haltham, for bread for the poor; Metham’s, for poor widows, from houses and land in Wisbech, left by Geo. Metham in 1685; Lawrence’s, for coats for poor men, from land in Leake, left by Robt. Lawrence in 1721. The Horncastle canal traverses the parish, but is now a derelict. There was formerly a castle in this parish, the residence of a family of the name of Coningsby, but no traces of it remain, unless it be in an ancient dovecote, placed among some fine trees to the east of the village. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a large, and originally a fine, church, consisting of nave, with north and south aisles, an apsidal modern chancel, and a massive western tower. This latter is of Perpendicular date, very plain, but of excellent ashlar work; it has a clock and six bells. The ground stage has open arches to the north and south, with a groined roof above, and a thoroughfare through it. In the eastern wall of the south porch is a stoup, which was formerly open, both within the porch and outside it. Over the porch is a parvis or priest’s chamber. Outside the church, near the top of the wall of a cupola-shaped finial of the rood loft turret is an old sun dial. The interior of the nave has a massive heavy roof of beams somewhat rudely cut, with traces of former colouring. The four western bays of the arcade are Early English, with low arches, the easternmost bay seems to have been added at a later date, the arch higher and wider. The moulding between two of the north arches terminates in a head, on each side of which an evil spirit is whispering. Another terminal is the head of a woman wearing the “branks,” or “scold’s bridle.” On the south side of the chancel arch is a rood loft staircase turret, of which both the lower and upper door remain. At the restoration in 1872 the clerestory windows were spoilt by being reduced in height; externally their original design remains. In the centre of the nave are two large sepulchral slabs, once bearing brasses, which are now gone, representing two civilians and their wives. The apsidal chancel is quite out of keeping with the rest of the fabric. There are some remains of the old carved oak screen, and south of the communion table is an Early English capital, with piscina behind it. [Picture: St. Michaels Church, Coningsby]