St Mary Magdalene

A beautiful sermon, expressed in stone.

Fleet, Lincolnshire

Opening times

Open daily 10am to 4pm.
Contact details for the churchwardens are in the porch in case of the unlikely event of the church being closed.

Address

Church Gate
Fleet
Lincolnshire
PE12 8NN

The oldest parts of the church may date back to the Knights Templar, who had a Preceptory at Fleet.

Records show that the church existed in the 1100s, the stone being brought from the Barnack Quarry and worked on the site of Jocelyn of Fleet's Manor nearby.

The present church has a choir of musician corbels lining the nave, in 14th century costume. The dappled light from the soaring west window traces ethereal pastel patterns of the floor and the rare mensa altar beneath the window.

The rector of the time fought the Parliamentarians at the siege at Crowland, barely escaping with his life. Realising the desecration bring wrought by local iconoclasts he returned in haste, and had the altar hidden, with it's consecration crossed erased. The altar itself was eventually retrieved and there is the tantalising possibility that it may have originally come from the Knights Templar chapel.

Also in the chapel, the Fleet Imp watches over all the proceedings, no less impious than his cousin in Lincoln Cathedral.

Outside, on the buttress by the west window is a beautiful spiral carved into the stonework, signifying the wheel of life. It probably dates back to the 1100s, along with two daisy wheels of similar date.

  • Wildlife haven

  • Spectacular stained glass

  • Social heritage stories

  • Magnificent memorials

  • Fascinating churchyard

  • Enchanting atmosphere

  • Captivating architecture

  • Walkers & cyclists welcome

  • Space to secure your bike

  • Ramp or level access available on request

  • On street parking at church

  • Level access to the main areas

  • Dog friendly

  • Car park at church

  • Accessible toilets nearby

  • Annual flower festival, craft weekend and art exhibitions.

  • Concerts and Patronal festivals.

  • Tours for individuals and groups.

  • Services at 9am on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Sundays.

  • Church of England

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Mary Magdalene

Gedney, Lincolnshire

Gedney's elegant and beautifully decorated tower is crowned by a spire that is little more than a stump.

All Saints

Holbeach, Lincolnshire

Built in the mid 14th century, All Saints is a handsome building with a sturdy tower and tall spire.

St Mary

Long Sutton, Lincolnshire

Long Sutton's tower, standing to one side of the church, was built in the 13th century and, until the 18th century had open arches at its base.