Diameter: 14.75" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Thomas I Eayre 1744
Dove Bell ID: 61004 Tower ID: 24033 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Thimbleby: St Margaret
Diocese of Lincoln
Church, 621644
This church is on the Heritage at Risk Register (verified 2024-11-14)
View more information about this church on the Heritage at Risk website
Overview
Grid reference: TF 240 700
Rebuilt in 1744 on site of a 14th century church, and again by local architect James Fowler (1828-1892) in 1879 in the Decorated style. A short stone spire has been removed from the belfry at the west end on health and safety grounds.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West tower (short spire has been removed), nave, chancel and south vestry.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 12 m (40ft) x 6 m (20ft), chancel 6 m (20ft) x 4 m (13ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 151 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The village has Anglo-Saxon origins and is recorded in the Domesday Survey as Simbelbi. Historic links with Abbot of Kirkstead. 40 households were recorded in the parish in 1563, and virtually the same number c.1715. Changes in farming methods (and perhaps the arrival of the canal and railway to Horncastle) saw the population rise in the 19th century.
A church was first built on the site in the 14th century, and is believed to have been a larger building than its subsequent replacements. The church is recorded as having been in a bad state of repair in 1662 following the Archdeacon’s visitation and the church was pulled down in 1744. An inscribed stone which leans against the pulpit inside, records this date. The church was rebuilt a second time, this time designed by James Fowler (1828-1892) of Louth in 1879. His work included enlarging the chancel, renewing the windows and reseating the naves. An ICBS grant application funded the works which also included a new vestry and organ chamber as well as general repairs.
The churchyard contains burials which pre-date the current church, including 18th century headstones to the Boulton family, south of the church. Other local families are remembered.
Archaeological records identify a Neolithic or later prehistoric axe found in the vicinity as well as Roman or historic enclosures. Nearby Horncastle was a Roman settlement in Horncastle so Roman finds are unsurprising. There is further anecdotal evidence of Roman finds within close proximity of Thimbleby. Records also identify an Anglo-Saxon girdle hanger to the east. Langton wind mill (Grade II listed) was built in 1861 to the south-east. It ceased operations in 1936. There is a WWII pillbox recorded to the south.
In view of the recorded and anecdotal finds, and existence of an earlier church on the site, the archaeological potential is considerable. There are many trees within the churchyard and these are protected as a result of conservation area status. There is evidence of bats inside the church.
Exterior Description
The west elevation of the church has a central projecting tower surmounted by octagonal belfry with louvred lancets on each facet and clock face. A short stone spire is currently missing. This elevation is the most visible to those passing the church along the B1190.
The stone walls have ashlar surrounds and stone repairs are evident. A sill continues around the building beneath the windows. Corner buttresses are irregularly placed along the nave. A plinth also continues around the base of the church. The three-bay nave is pierced by two-light windows with trefoil heads. The chancel is lower than the nave and has a single light window to north and south walls and 3-light east window. A gabled vestry and organ chamber projects to the south, with a two-light square headed window in the south elevation and a door in the east. Each of the gables around the building is surmounted by a stone cross finial. Each window has hoodmoulds with uncarved stops either side.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
19th century
Nave
19th century
Chancel
19th century
Vestry
19th century south
Building Materials
Stone
19th century squared Spilsby greenstone
Sandstone
19th century rubble
Ashlar
19th century dressings
Tile
19th century plain roof and decorative ridge
Interior
Interior Description
Access is up three steps at the west end, which enters the base of the west tower. A record of the church describes a fragment of the old church, featuring a shield, within the west doorway. The floor is paved in quarry tiles. Encaustic tiles with text mark the entry into the nave. The lettering is obscured by temporary boards laid over them. Above the west door is a balcony into the tower space, lit by a two-light west window. It is currently screened by polythene.
The single nave has exposed stone walls and is ceiled by a pitch pine hammer-beam roof resting on plain corbels. The ceiling is plastered between the rafters. Three sets of two-light windows pierce the nave walls, most containing clear glazing in diamond leaded panes. Suspended from the beams are overhead electric heaters and light bulbs with no shades. There is a cleared area behind a wood partition in the north-west corner, and the font is raised on a step in the south-west corner. Pine pews are fixed to raised wood pew platforms either side of the aisle. The aisle is laid in flagstones and is covered by a strip of carpet, hiding iron grills from an old heating system.
At the east end, beneath a low pointed chancel arch is a low stone chancel wall. Between its central opening is a single step. The floor throughout the chancel and sanctuary is paved in glazed and encaustic decorated tiles. Facing each other to north and south sides are choir stalls with carved oak frontals. Behind those to the north is a single light window, whilst behind those to the south is an organ. The space is ceiled by an arch-braced roof.
The step up to the sanctuary is paved with tiles which read ‘come unto me all that travail and are heavy laden and I will refresh you’. Further text in the chancel step is obscured by carpet. To the east of the organ and behind it is the vestry with an east door and a fireplace in the west wall. The sanctuary has a tabernacle in the north wall and a two arched stone sedilia set within the south wall. A curtain forms the backdrop to the altar with a three-light window over head.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century wood with moulded metal images to left and right depicts Mary and Christ
Reredos
19th century stone, relief carving depicting the Last Supper, an inscribed stone plaque on north wall records its gift in memory of Jane Anne Brown, wife of W E Brown
Pulpit
20th century simply carved octagonal oak, erected in memory of Reuben and Eliza Roberts and daughters 1921 as recorded by a small brass plaque
Lectern
19th century simple oak
Font (component)
19th century simple octagonal stone on plinth in south-west corner
Rail
20th century oak with moulded top rail and columns and carved ends and spandrels
Stained Glass (window)
20th century • North - depicting St Cecilia - in memory of the Barlow Family, Walter G Barlow, organist – 1922-72, dated 1974 with mark of J Wippell & Co; • North chancel – image of Christ, in memory of Percy Charles Cox, Priest, rector 1963-75; • South-east – plain glazed window with circular stamp in memory of Dorothy Mary Owen 1920-2002, a historian; • South – WWI war memorial.
Plaque (component)
20th century Brass plaques under south window record that the wrought iron churchyard gates are in memory of Ashley and Ann Crowder, altar kneelers in memory of William Crowder 1894-1979, heating in memory of Gertrude Violet Crowder.
Inscribed Object
18th century a stone beneath the pulpit is inscribed and states that the church was rebuilt 1744, alongside the name William Cary, church warden
Organ (component)
20th century two manual organ by W Rushworth & Sons, Liverpool, 1905
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers did date from 1695, stolen, modern ones not kept on site
Churchyard
Grid reference: TF 240 700
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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