July 2015:
KIRKSTEAD, St Leonard.
For our July meeting we met near Woodhall Spa at Kirkstead, St Leonard, or ‘St Leonard’s without,’ meaning outside the gates of Kirkstead Abbey. We drove up a dusty road passing the surviving remains of the Abbey. We were greeted by Sally who lives in Kirkstead. She and her daughter were both married in the church and it was clear from the start that she cared very much for the building.
The building dates from the 13th century, and is a single cell, approximately 44 x 20 feet. It would have originally had a thatched roof. It was restored in 1913 by Weir. Fortunately many original features remain today. Pevsner enthuses about it, calling it ‘delightful’ and a ‘gem.’
Although sources say it was a former chapel to the nearby abbey, Sally told us it was in fact originally a wayfarer’s church. There was no path to the abbey from the church, and the abbey had a moat surrounding it. The river was also much nearer to the abbey than now. The doors to the west front and the now blocked up north doorway are narrow; further evidence that this was a chantry chapel, where prayers were said for the dead.
Although sources say it was a former chapel to the nearby abbey, Sally told us it was in fact originally a wayfarer’s church. There was no path to the abbey from the church, and the abbey had a moat surrounding it. The river was also much nearer to the abbey than now. The doors to the west front and the now blocked up north doorway are narrow; further evidence that this was a chantry chapel, where prayers were said for the dead.
It was built circa 1226 in memory of Robert de Tattershall who died in 1214. He was the grandson of Hugh Brito who founded the Cistercian abbey in 1139. In the north east corner of the chancel is a marble effigy of Robert. It is one of the oldest effigies of a knight in the country. This is evidenced by the barrel helmet, chain mail, surcoat and shield he is wearing.
The interior roof has a vaulted ceiling, quadripartite in the nave, and sexpartite in the chancel bay. In the centre of the chancel vault is a beautiful carving of the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God. Sally said the vaulting was as good as that in Lincoln Cathedral. It is likely masons were brought in from Lincoln to carve it.
The interior roof has a vaulted ceiling, quadripartite in the nave, and sexpartite in the chancel bay. In the centre of the chancel vault is a beautiful carving of the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God. Sally said the vaulting was as good as that in Lincoln Cathedral. It is likely masons were brought in from Lincoln to carve it.
The wooden screen arcade is also from an early date. It has been reset on a new base, but the upper part of polygonal shafts and simple trefoiled arches are original. When there are weddings in the church the arcade can’t be used for garlands of flowers as the wood work is so delicate.
After the Reformation Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk took control of the church as well as the abbey. In the 18th century the estate and church was sold to the D’Isney family and it became a Presbyterian meeting house.
After the Reformation Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk took control of the church as well as the abbey. In the 18th century the estate and church was sold to the D’Isney family and it became a Presbyterian meeting house.
A three decker pulpit was installed but is now in the Rambler’s Church at Walesby. There were also Jacobean candelabra and wall brackets, but these were stolen about 20 years ago. The candelabra are now very plain to deter thieves, but they still have candles as there is no electricity to the site.
Over the subsequent centuries there was much mismanagement of the estate and the church, by owners and rather some rather colourful clergy. It eventually returned to being Church of England although it has never been a parish church. Sally had brought with her books and papers referring to the history of the church and the characters involved. She had researched in the Lincolnshire Archives and was well versed in her subject. She then spoke about the history of Kirkstead Abbey, about the Abbott and monks who took part in the Lincolnshire Rising in 1536, and who were subsequently executed in Lincoln. Stone taken from the abbey ruins can be seen today in some of the nearby houses.
St Leonard’s today is a well-loved, well supported church set in tranquil surroundings of the Lincolnshire countryside. Services are held only during the summer months because of the lack of electricity. How good it is to know that such an isolated building is supported and loved by the local community and that St Leonard’s long and colourful history will be preserved for the future.
Words: JM
Photos: PS & JM
NOTE. To see a larger version of the images above just click on them.
Over the subsequent centuries there was much mismanagement of the estate and the church, by owners and rather some rather colourful clergy. It eventually returned to being Church of England although it has never been a parish church. Sally had brought with her books and papers referring to the history of the church and the characters involved. She had researched in the Lincolnshire Archives and was well versed in her subject. She then spoke about the history of Kirkstead Abbey, about the Abbott and monks who took part in the Lincolnshire Rising in 1536, and who were subsequently executed in Lincoln. Stone taken from the abbey ruins can be seen today in some of the nearby houses.
St Leonard’s today is a well-loved, well supported church set in tranquil surroundings of the Lincolnshire countryside. Services are held only during the summer months because of the lack of electricity. How good it is to know that such an isolated building is supported and loved by the local community and that St Leonard’s long and colourful history will be preserved for the future.
Words: JM
Photos: PS & JM
NOTE. To see a larger version of the images above just click on them.
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