St Andrew
Pickworth, Lincolnshire
This rural church contains extensive wall paintings that were hidden from view until a bomb dropped nearby in World War Two, disturbing the plaster, which was removed, revealing the medieval wall paintings.
The small building is testimony to 800 years of village life. Although St Margaret’s has been altered over the centuries, the west (rear) wall remains as it was originally built eight centuries ago. The north aisle dating from the 13th century has 14th century windows and the clerestory’s windows (upper part of the nave) date from the 15th century. The 13th century chancel arch has traces of the rich red stain used to decorate churches in the middle ages.
The porch seat on the east side is made from a mediaeval tomb slab identified by Professor Lawrence Butler as being of a design more common in the Trent Valley than in Kesteven.
The church has two bells in a 13th century gabled bellcote. The straight sides of the smaller treble bell show that it is medieval dated circa 1200; the second oldest in Lincolnshire.