St James' Church, Louth

St James' Church, Louth, is the

History

The church is a medieval building. It has the tallest steeple of any medieval parish church in Britain. A recent survey has confirmed the height of the stonework as 287 feet 6 inches (87.63 m) and to the top of the cockerel weather vane as 293 feet 1 inch (89.33 m). It also confirms it as one of the very finest medieval steeples in the country^[4]

The

The church is mainly 15th century and is the third building on the site, replacing 11th- and 13th-century buildings. Originally the church had five subsidiary chapels and altars and a three-storey rood screen.

In October 1536, as a result of

The nave roof was replaced in 1825.^[6] The spire was restored between 1844 and 1845 by Lewis Nockalls Cottingham.^[7]

A further restoration took place between 1861 and 1869 by James Fowler, known as 'Fowler of Louth'.^[1] The clerestories and arcades were cleaned and underpinned. A new south porch was erected. The church was refitted with open seats of oak; the Corporation stalls being of the same material. The pulpit was carved by T. W. Wallis. The floors were laid with Minton tiles, designed by the architect. A new heating system by Hayden and Son of Trowbridge was installed with the boiler in a newly constructed vault. A stained glass window, the gift of J. L. Fytche, was fixed on the east end of the south aisle. Another window, by Clayton and Bell, was to be placed at the west end of the north aisle, in memory of General Sir George Patey. The total cost of the works was around £6,000 (equivalent to £590,000 in 2021).^[5] The church was re-opened on 5 August 1869 in the presence of the Bishop of Lincoln.^[8]

In 1937, the church flew the highest flag in Lincolnshire to mark the coronation of George VI.^[9] Later that year, renovation work commenced on the spire, under the supervision of architect Mr. Goddard, who had previously worked on Lincoln Cathedral.^[9]

In 2015 researchers discovered two pieces of a pre-Conquest standing Stone Cross, dating to c950, in the Rectory garden. In form the Cross is of the 'ring' or 'wheel head' type, the central design being of Christ crucified. This type is more commonly seen today in Ireland. The Cross and its implications for the archaeology, history and the early church in Louth are discussed in a major article by Everson and Stocker, "{'}The Cros in the Markitte Stede'. The Louth Cross, its Monastery and its Town." (Medieval Archaeology Journal, vol. 61/2, 2017).^[10] The Louth Cross is on display within the church and a small booklet about it is available at the gift shop.

In 2017 funding was raised to fit a viewing door to the cell just below the spire floor. It holds the original medieval treadwheel that was used to haul up the stone and mortar for construction of the spire (1501–1515). Substantial records exist in the churchwardens' accounts from 1501 onward for the construction and use of the wheel, which was to become known as The Wild Mare. A small booklet about this rare survival is available from the church gift shop.

Dedication

The church is dedicated to

Rectors

In 1859 the income of the vicarage was augmented by an Order in Council by amalgamating it with revenues of the associated canonry of Lincoln Cathedral, the benefice becoming a rectory in its own right. The vicar in post became the new Rector of Louth and held the associated canonry from that point onwards. During the 19th and early 20th centuries the parish was divided to create two new parishes, of which the Rector of Louth was the patron. From 1928 the Rector of Louth was held together with the post of Rector of Welton le Wold. In 1974 the benefice became part of a Team Ministry serving the newly created Parish of Louth which incorporated these parishes (St Michael's and Holy Trinity) with those of South and North Elkington, Keddington and Stewton. Since that time the Rector of Louth has been Team Rector of the Team Ministry.

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (November 2008)

Bells

There is a peal of eight bells. They were recast in 1726 by Daniel Hedderly. In 1798 the great bell was cracked when it was rung to celebrate Nelson's victory in the Battle of the Nile. They were rehung in 1957, and the treble and two were recast. They have subsequently been refurbished and rehung in 2022.

Tower clock

The clock in the tower was installed in 1846 and made by Benjamin Vulliamy.^[13] It had a pin-wheel dead-beat escapement, with an eight-day movement. It was expected to last 200 years before needing replacement, and was set going on 25 July 1846.

It was replaced in August 1901 by a clock made by Leonard Hall of Louth. It contained a double three-legged gravity escapement as invented by

Organists

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (September 2008)

Assistant organists

• Albert Sharman ca.1905^[22]
• Roger Harrison 1999 – 2011

Visiting and tourism

St James is nominated a "Cascade Church" within the Lincolnshire Church Tourism Network, an ecumenical scheme which promotes visits to and understanding of Lincolnshire's many churches. Like other Cascade churches it is stewarded on weekdays and there are guides available until 16:00. The western end of the church now has a tea shop, book shop and toilets, as well as information leading to other churches in the East Lindsey area.^{[citation needed]}

Gallery

• 
  Side chapel in St James Church.
• 
  View towards the back of the church.
• 
  One of two wood carvings of angels in one of the side chapels in the church.
• 
  Chair on the altar.
• 
  Stained glass window.
• 
  Detail of a pew around the altar.
• 
  Pews around the altar.
• 
  Stained glass window and altar.
• 
  Altar and pews.
• 
  Decorative kneeling cushions.
• 
  Spire of the church.
• 
  Main entrance.
• 
  Exterior and windows.
• 
  Exterior and spire.
• 
  Exterior.
• 
  Interior of the western tower or belfry.
• 
  Nave and chancel, viewed from the western end of the church.
• 
  Chancel of the church, viewed over the nave altar.
• 
  High altar of the church.
• 
  Altar of

  St Stephen's Chapel

  .
• 
  Plaque commemorating

  Lincolnshire Rising

  of 1536, opposite south entrance to church.
• 
  Pulpit carved by Thomas Wilkinson Wallis
• 
  Detail of the lectern.

References