Queen Street Chapel
Horncastle, Lincolnshire
The first Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built in 1786 in the district known as The Wong or Cagthorpe. It was replaced by a new chapel on the same site in 1806.
Standing in the market place, this is believed to be the third church built on the site.
St Mary’s is now a fantastic mixtures of different styles. Externally it appears to be predominantly Victorian and Perpendicular, however enter into this wonderful building and you will see there are elements of Early English style as well. The pillars of the arcade have a pronounced lean towards the south, said by some people to signify the leaning of Christ’s head on the Cross. If correct this would mean the Master Builder deliberately contrived the pillars to be built out of true, which is absurd. The lean is, in fact, due to stresses caused when the Perpendicular style clerestory and heavy wooden roof were added in the 15th century.
There are many features to see within including: beautiful stained glass windows, ten gilded angels in the nave roof, a lepers’ squint and medieval scythes (linked to the War of the Roses or the Lincolnshire Rising).
An exhibition details the links with Alfred Lord Tennyson and hatchments show the connection with The Dymoke Family (the King’s Champion). Nearby are parts of the old Roman wall.