St Chad

Of interest is the early English arcade of the nave. No two pillars are the same and little heads or 'whorl' stops appear on some of the hood moulding. These small bosses or corbels, with wavy radiating lines are of oriental and probably solar origin and seem to occur only in Lincolnshire. It is suggested that they are the trick of a stonemason who trained at Lincoln Cathedral and then moved on or passed his skills on. The church's greatest treasure is a Cuir Bouilli or steeped leather case. It is enclosed in a glass case on the west wall of the nave and was found in the church in 1879. It was repaired and restored to the church in 1927. The case is a great rarity, for only about a dozen others exist. Dating from the 15th century it was used to carry a chalice of the type used in the 13th century. The triangular headed aumbry in the cantuary is fitted with oak doors. The hinges are of 12th century origin. The two windows on the south aisle are 14th century and two stone coffin lids, carved with crosses, have been used as lintels. It is thought that these were taken from the stone coffins, which have been used, upside down, as paving slabs in the floor opposite the main door. A Jacobean monument erected by Robert Grantham to commemorate his family, dominates in the chancel. The Grantham's were a well known family in the county. He founded the charity which bears his name and which is still given to beadsmen from Dunholme and neighbouring villages on Ascension Day and All Souls Day. Apparently he erected the memorial before His death in 1617. A statue of St Chad stands in a niche above the porch door. There is too much to talk about the church, so please make a visit to St Chad's and discover all its treasures within.