June 2015:
TEMPLE BRUER, St John the Baptist.
Temple Bruer St John the Baptist and the Preceptory Tower
We were a small but select group for the June visit to St John the Baptist Church at Temple Bruer. The church is isolated, surrounded by fields, but easy to find.
We were greeted by church warden Keith Oxburgh, who told us although he no longer lives in the village, he loves the church so much he continues to care for it.
The church was built in 1874, designed by James Fowler. The nave and chancel are in one, and there is a wooden bell turret with a spire. A school room was subsequently built, attached to the north side of the church. The school finally closed at Easter 1947, and there are still people living in the village who attended it.
The background of how the church came to be built is an unusual one. Temple Bruer village was owned by the Chaplin family who owned large estates in Lincolnshire including the Blankney Estate. In 1864 Henry Chaplin (1840-1923) became engaged to Lady Florence Paget (also known as the Pocket Venus). They were to live at Blankney Hall after their marriage. Meanwhile, Florence fell in love with Henry, Lord Hastings. Legend has it Chaplin took Florence shopping in London and waited outside in the carriage for her. Florence walked straight through the shop and out into Lord Hasting’s carriage. They were married the same day, and she informed Chaplin of what had happened by letter the next day.
Chaplin owned racehorses, and entered his horse Hermit for the Derby at Epsom in 1867. Hermit was not fully fit, and not thought to be able to win the event. Hastings was known to be a compulsive gambler and wagered thousands of pounds on the race. Against the odds Hermit won the race, and Hastings was ruined. He died in poverty at the age of 26 after gambling and drinking heavily. Florence remarried and lived to a ripe old age. It is said locally that the church was built on the Derby winnings.
We were a small but select group for the June visit to St John the Baptist Church at Temple Bruer. The church is isolated, surrounded by fields, but easy to find.
We were greeted by church warden Keith Oxburgh, who told us although he no longer lives in the village, he loves the church so much he continues to care for it.
The church was built in 1874, designed by James Fowler. The nave and chancel are in one, and there is a wooden bell turret with a spire. A school room was subsequently built, attached to the north side of the church. The school finally closed at Easter 1947, and there are still people living in the village who attended it.
The background of how the church came to be built is an unusual one. Temple Bruer village was owned by the Chaplin family who owned large estates in Lincolnshire including the Blankney Estate. In 1864 Henry Chaplin (1840-1923) became engaged to Lady Florence Paget (also known as the Pocket Venus). They were to live at Blankney Hall after their marriage. Meanwhile, Florence fell in love with Henry, Lord Hastings. Legend has it Chaplin took Florence shopping in London and waited outside in the carriage for her. Florence walked straight through the shop and out into Lord Hasting’s carriage. They were married the same day, and she informed Chaplin of what had happened by letter the next day.
Chaplin owned racehorses, and entered his horse Hermit for the Derby at Epsom in 1867. Hermit was not fully fit, and not thought to be able to win the event. Hastings was known to be a compulsive gambler and wagered thousands of pounds on the race. Against the odds Hermit won the race, and Hastings was ruined. He died in poverty at the age of 26 after gambling and drinking heavily. Florence remarried and lived to a ripe old age. It is said locally that the church was built on the Derby winnings.
The church is part of the six churches of the Graffoe group.
They hold 2 services a month. Every Sunday in August they have ‘August Teas’ which are very popular and well attended. They also hold services for the Ramblers, Carol services attended by local schools, and an annual Harvest Festival. They also have local weddings, and are saving up to have the path to the church resurfaced. Meanwhile they use a red carpet for the bridal party to walk on.
After a welcome cup of tea, we thanked Keith for his informative talk about the church, and we drove to the nearby Knights Templar Preceptory Tower. The tower is one of a pair of towers that was attached to the Templar Church, and one of the few surviving Templar sites in the country. The tower is cared for by Heritage Lincolnshire and there is more information about it at https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/sites/temple-bruer-knights-templar-preceptory-tower .
Words JM. Photos PS
They hold 2 services a month. Every Sunday in August they have ‘August Teas’ which are very popular and well attended. They also hold services for the Ramblers, Carol services attended by local schools, and an annual Harvest Festival. They also have local weddings, and are saving up to have the path to the church resurfaced. Meanwhile they use a red carpet for the bridal party to walk on.
After a welcome cup of tea, we thanked Keith for his informative talk about the church, and we drove to the nearby Knights Templar Preceptory Tower. The tower is one of a pair of towers that was attached to the Templar Church, and one of the few surviving Templar sites in the country. The tower is cared for by Heritage Lincolnshire and there is more information about it at https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/sites/temple-bruer-knights-templar-preceptory-tower .
Words JM. Photos PS
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