Weight: 672 lbs Diameter: 32" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by Unidentified (inscribed)
Dove Bell ID: 4438 Tower ID: 12361 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Market Stainton: St Michael
Diocese of Lincoln
Closed Church, 621630
This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2025-11-06)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: TF 227 799
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower, nave with south porch, chancel.
Dimensions:
Nave c 11m x 4m, chancel 5m long.
Footprint of Church buildings: 142 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church is 13th century in origin with mid 14th century tower, dating from a period where this settlement was promoted as a market town. The market was appropriated to Horncastle, and the settlement dwindled to a farming hamlet. There were repairs in the 18th century, with large brick buttresses added to the tower. The chancel was rebuilt in 1848 by the Rev John Lott. The church was restored in 1866 and again in 1909, and the tower shows signs of late 20th century work.
Exterior Description
The west tower is of two stages with a plinth and 18th-century brick diagonal buttresses with greenstone set-offs. Pointed west doorway with rendered, chamfered head and jambs in one, hood mould, head stops and plank door. 2-light pointed window above with cusped ogees. Bell openings on all sides with Y-tracery (early 19th-century?), intact louvres. Battlements and corner pinnacles.
The nave walls have two pointed 3-light windows to both walls, each with cusped ogees, mouchettes and hoodmould, heavily restored. The 14th-century porch was also heavily restored, east and west porch walls each with a rectangular 14th-century 2-light window with cusped ogee-headed lights. Pointed south doorway with chamfered surround hoodmould.
The chancel has a 19th-century priest’s doorway in the west bay of the south wall with a pointed head, chamfered surround, hood mould and plank door. East of this is an original early 13th-century lancet with hood mould, the north side has a similar window restored in the 19th-century. The east wall has a pair of 19th-century lancets with a continuous hood mould, there is some brick patching to the east and south walls.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
13th century
Chancel
19th century rebuilding
Porch
13th century
Tower (component)
14th century with 20th century additions
Building Materials
Lead
20th century roof repairs
Stone
13th century greenstone rubble blocks
Limestone
13th century ashlar dressings
Brick
18th century repairs
Interior
Interior Description
The porch interior has flanking stone benches and south doorway with pointed head, chamfered surround and plank door. The church has not been used for worship for some years, meaning that the interior had fallen into disrepair. The fittings make it seem Georgian, with ordinary benches and other furniture inserted during that time period. Looking west, the tower arch has a pointed chamfered head and polygonal responds with polygonal moulded capitals. The coved nave ceiling is plastered and painted yellow. Ledger slabs down central alley. Handsome pendant wrought-iron lamps.
Looking east the chancel arch also looks to be original 14th century work, pointed with an inner chamfered order on renewed corbels. Timber Gothic rood screen, 19th century. The chancel ceiling is a stone quadripartite rib-vault supported on angel corbels, painted darker blue with yellow ribs. There are 18th and 19th century monuments. South priest's doorway with segmental head and moulded surround. Panelling around the sanctuary walls.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century an oak table
Pulpit
19th century hexagonal wood with tracery panels
Lectern
19th century gabled desk
Font (component)
19th century tall octagonal font with conical hood
Stained Glass (window)
19th century East window, very pale glass with the only colour gold somewhat in the style of Kemp, St Mary the Virgin and an angel.
Plaque (component)
18th / 19th century Monument in nave of grey and white marble, to Walter Walesby died 1806. Monuments in chancel, one to Francis Walesby, died 1772, of black and white marble with cherub, the other to Joshua Walesby, died 1799, of white marble with urn. Commandment Boards in tower space.
Organ (object)
19th century small harmonium
Bells
Diameter: 24.63" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by William Oldfield (of Bradford) 1610
Dove Bell ID: 30644 Tower ID: 12361 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 27.75" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by William Noone 1712
Dove Bell ID: 30645 Tower ID: 12361 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
various wooden chairs
Registers from 1689 onwards, in CRO.
Churchyard
Grid reference: TF 227 799
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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