September 2015:
GREETWELL All Saints.
*If photographs appear small, click on them and they will enlarge*
‘A tiny hamlet in open country on the north bank of the River Witham, yet barely two miles from Lincoln. Church and hall together across parkland. Earthworks of the former village particularly noticeable south of the church.’ (Pevsner, 1964)
The September U3A visit was to Greetwell, situated as described above by Pevsner. The church is hidden from the main road (B1308) and many people must drive by without knowing it is there. We were met by Brian who opened the church for us, and Graham Beaumont, local historian, who gave us a tour of the interior and exterior of the church describing its history.
The September U3A visit was to Greetwell, situated as described above by Pevsner. The church is hidden from the main road (B1308) and many people must drive by without knowing it is there. We were met by Brian who opened the church for us, and Graham Beaumont, local historian, who gave us a tour of the interior and exterior of the church describing its history.
Greetwell is mentioned in Domesday as having a church and a priest. The manor of Greetwell was given by William I to Sir
Roger de Busli as a reward for his support at the time of the Conquest.
Roger de Busli as a reward for his support at the time of the Conquest.
The church has been ‘heavily over restored’ by C H Fowler in Victorian times, so there is little left of the original stone church; but there are a few clues to be found if you know where to look. All Saints is built of limestone from the nearby quarry. On the south facing exterior wall of the nave there is a blocked 11th century keyhole window.
On the west wall of the 13th tower century tower there is an unusual piece of dressed stone with motif, probably from the original stone church.
The west tower has also been heavily restored and dates from the 13th century. There is an uninscribed 15th century bell. The interior of the church is bright and welcoming. There are colourful embroidered kneelers in every pew. There is a beautiful portable organ, painted with banners and inspirational words from nature. It is dated from 1764 but was not brought to the church until 1890. The present windows date from the 15th century. The font is 13th century but has a more modern wooden cover made by a local craftsman. The semi-circular apse is Saxon in origin, but this one was built at a later date. It could have been added during the Victorian restoration. The Norman arch looks new, but could have been either restored or added when the chancel was rebuilt. During recent archaeological excavations there was evidence of a longer rectangular chancel of an earlier date.
The church as a whole looks light and bright and new. Much of this is due to the Victorian restoration, as well as further restoration between 2006 and 2012 when there was replastering, repainting, a new roof, carpet and curtains and a chandelier. There are services here on the first Sunday of the month.
All Saints has a long history and thanks to its parishioners and supporters can look forward to a confident future. Please do visit if you have the opportunity.
All Saints has a long history and thanks to its parishioners and supporters can look forward to a confident future. Please do visit if you have the opportunity.
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