All Saints' Church, Babworth

Coordinates: 53°19′12.81″N 0°58′15.75″W / 53.3202250°N 0.9710417°W / 53.3202250; -0.9710417
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

All Saints' Church, Babworth
Newark
Laity
Churchwarden(s)Mr Swinscoe & Mr Board (Mr Gleaden Deputy)

All Saints' Church, is a

Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England[1] in Babworth
, Nottinghamshire.

History

The church was built in the 15th century, and restored in 1860 and 1878. It is a small structure with a tower steeple with three old bells, (to which were added three newly cast bells in the late 1950s) and a clock, a nave, chancel and a porch. Most of the building dates from the 15th century, with several 18th-century memorials and 19th-century stained glass by

Robert (Mousey) Thompson
, featuring his trademark mouse carvings. In early spring the church is surrounded by a spectacular display of snowdrops, which the public is free to visit.

According to Piercy,[2] in 1295 the advowson of Babworth church was the property of Robert de Swillington, "who had free warren in Babworth". In 1365 after Swillington's death, it became the property of Sir Thomas de Grendon, who sold it to Sir William Trussbutt. Trussbutt is said to have presented it to the priory of Newstead, having first obtained the king's licence, and the licence of Sir Thomas de Saundby to do so. Newstead priory remained in possession of the church until 1531, until the prior of Newstead, John Blake, granted it and one acre of land to John Hercy, Esq. of Grove for the sum of fifteen pounds. In 1674 it became the property of the Wortleys, from whom it was purchased by John Simpson, Esq.

Piercy describes the church favourably as "a small but handsome structure of stone, advantageously situated on a rising ground. It consists of tower steeple, with three bells, and clock, a nave and chancel uniform in their windows, height, and battlements, with a side aisle and vestry, and a handsome porch. The whole is of the later period of the Gothic architecture. The little burial plot which surrounds it, is considerably elevated, being connected with, or rather enclosed within the elegant pleasure grounds of the adjacent buildings; while the fine trees, aged and bowery, enhance materially the charming effect of the ivy-mantled tower."[2]

Richard Clyfton was instituted on 11 July 1586 to the rectory of All Saints'. He lost his position as rector of Babworth through deprivation on 7 June 1605.[3] He joined the Separatist Scrooby Congregation before emigrating to Amsterdam. Clyfton is known for his connection with the Pilgrims – the early settlers of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts, USA.[4][5] A street in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is named after him.[citation needed]

Group of churches

The Babworth Group of Churches is made up of:

  • All Saints, Babworth
  • St Martin's, Ranby
  • St John's, Scofton with Osberton

Clergy

The present Team Vicar is The Rev Dr Vasey-Saunders.

See also

References

  1. ^ The Buildings of England: Nottinghamshire: Nikolaus Pevsner. [full citation needed]
  2. ^ a b The History of Retford in The County of Nottingham. John Shadrach Piercy, 1828
  3. ^ "Clifton, Richard (0 - 1605) (CCEd Person ID )". The Clergy of the Church of England Database 1540–1835.
  4. ^ Belz, Mindy. "The Road to Thanksgiving Started Here". Wall St Journal Opinion. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. ^ Council, Nottinghamshire County. "Mayflower Pilgrims in Nottinghamshire". Nottinghamshire County Council. Retrieved 22 February 2024.