The Churches

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.

Read about St Benedict and Old Kate

The following churches have since closed, further reducing the number to twelve.

​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.

Read about St Giles Church

St Martin's Church, rebuilt 1740, St Martin's Lane

Old St Martin's church tower

"New" St Martins church, West Parade

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

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