Records, Historical and Antiquarian, of Parishes Round Horncastle — John Shaqi
Records, Historical and Antiquarian, of Parishes Round HorncastleWalter, J. Conway (James Conway)
History
Records, Historical and Antiquarian, of Parishes Round Horncastle
Walter, J. Conway (James Conway)
Parishes -- England -- Horncastle -- History
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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