Of a later Church, in a state of ruin, there was given an engraving in the “Gentleman’s Magazine” of August 11, 1801, with brief account of the church; a copy of which is in the possession of the present rector, the Rev. R. Gathorne, M.A.; framed, in his study. {117b} In that later edifice, the pulpit is said to have been a massive one, of stone. But this, like the monuments given above, has disappeared. Of the present church, built in 1802, the best we can say is that it is in the style called “Debased Gothic.” The late rector, the Rev. C. F. R. Baylay, rural dean, &c., put stone mullions, in place of wood, in the windows, in 1879; when the late bishop, Dr. Christopher Wordsworth, performed the ceremony of re-opening the church on November 6th, as is recorded on a brass tablet on the north wall of the nave. The church was, at the same time, re-seated with open sittings of pitch-pine. The western gallery was also then removed. Over the west door is a good painting of the royal arms, of date 1712, with initials “A.R.” (Anne Regina). There is a slab in the pavement of the nave at its east end, in memory of Rev. T. Roe, formerly rector. The font is plain octagonal. The ceiling is flat, of polished pitch-pine. There are three plain windows in the south wall of the nave, and two in the north wall. The chancel is apsidal, with a three-light window in the centre, and a small single-light window on each side. The chancel arch is unusually low, and broad, out of proportion. The only handsome thing in the church is the communion table, which is of old oak, probably of the Caroline period, massive, and richly carved, having a curious cupboard below the upper slab. It is, however, more fit to be a chiffonier or dining room sideboard, than for its present use. The church has accommodation for 212, which is amply sufficient, as the once “Town” of Kirkby has been decreasing in population for many years. The one bell hangs in an external small turret. The registers date from 1562. The present rectory is a commodious residence, built in 1827, at a cost of £1,800. It stands in almost park-like grounds, with fine timber. The village school was rebuilt in 1870, with residence for the teacher, and was endowed by Richard Brocklesby with 33 acres of land in the parish of Bicker. The poor have an interest in the almshouses of Sir Joseph Banks at Reyesby; also a yearly dole of 5_s._, left by Martha Chamberlain. The poet Dyer, who was appointed rector of Coningsby, by Sir John Heathcote in 1752, became rector of Kirkby in 1755, but presently exchanged it for Belchford. He was the author of “Grongar Hill,” “The Fleece,” and other poems of some merit, and was honoured in a complimentary sonnet by Wordsworth, the Laureate.