The Churches
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Churches
Before the reformation there were 52 churches in Lincoln, excluding the Cathedral and monastic buildings. By the time of the Reformation many of the parishes were so small that they could not afford a minister and had insufficient funds to maintain them. An application was made to Parliament for the purpose of uniting the parishes, an Act was passed for this purpose in 1538, "for the union of churches in the city of Lincoln," authorising four people, John Taylor, the bishop of Lincoln, William Hutchinson, mayor, George Stamp and John Fowler, to carry it into effect. It appears by a copy of the deed of union, dated 4th September 1553, that the several parishes in the city, bail and close of Lincoln were reduced to fifteen. The following churches have since closed, further reducing the number to twelve. |
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The first St Martin's Church stood on St Martin's Lane at the top of the High Street, it had been almost completely destroyed by Parliamentarian forces during the civil and was not restored until 1740. When the new church of St Martin's was built in the late 19th century the old church was pulled down leaving only the tower; the tower was pulled down in the 1930s. The "new" church was demolished in the 1970s.
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"New" St Martins church, West Parade
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St Paul in the Bail in 1784
St Paul in the Bail as on the site of what is believed to be the oldest church in Lincolnshire, built by the Roman governor of Lincoln, Blecca, who had been baptised by St Paulinus, bishop of York in the early 7th century. This first church fell down in 1302 and was rebuilt with money given by its parishioners. This second church decayed and was itself rebuilt around 1786. The last church on this site, a Victorian building, was demolished in the 1970s
The church that once stood on the corner of High Street and Silver Street was known as St Peter at Arches, the “Arches” came from its position close to The Stonebow. There is evidence that suggests that by the 11th Century two St Peters stood in the churchyard: St Peter at Arches and St Peter at Pleas (so-called because of its proximity to the Moot Stone which was located near Ruddocks shop)
St Giles church
In 1719 an application for a brief for rebuilding the church of St Peter at Arches was made to the City council. A loan of 1000 shillings (equivalent of about £4,500 today) was taken up at interest by the city for the rebuilding of the church, repayable over 10 years. The church was built by William Smith and consecrated in 1724 as the Corporation church.
The church was closed in 1929 and demolished in 1933. Parts of the church, including the bells and the stone decorative parts were used in the new church of St Giles.
St Giles had an extra bay added, there are four large windows each side, whereas St Peter at Arches only had three. The Lincoln architect W G Watkins designed the new church.
The church was closed in 1929 and demolished in 1933. Parts of the church, including the bells and the stone decorative parts were used in the new church of St Giles.
St Giles had an extra bay added, there are four large windows each side, whereas St Peter at Arches only had three. The Lincoln architect W G Watkins designed the new church.
St Giles interior
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