A rather unassuming village church on the outside but containing a wealth of interest and heritage within its walls, but there also lies a hidden story of murder and intrigue.
Gautby, Lincolnshire
The chancel is built over a burial vault of the Vyner family of Gautby Great Park and it was they who paid for the building of the church in 1754. Gautby Great Park has long gone, as are the Vyners, leaving the church as the only reminder of their residence here. A rather plain brick box on the outside, the interior of the church is therefore, quite surprising, a light, elegant and quite sophisticated space.
The chancel arch is impressively classical, on either side of the altar are two niches containing striking monuments to the Vyner family. One of Sir Thomas Vyner, 1st Baronet (1588-1665), a goldsmith of London and Controller of the Royal Mint, who also served as Lord Mayor of London. The other is his son Thomas.
Come along and view the striking memorial statues of Sir Thomas Vyner and his son, and then learn about the terrible tragedy that fell on this family.
Frederick, like so many young men his age, was sent on a Grand Tour of Europe. Whilst in Greece he and his party were kidnapped and held to ransom and, given the aristocratic nature of the party, the Government and Queen Victoria were involved in trying to secure their release. Sadly during the siege to rescue them, four of the party, including Frederick aged just 23, were killed. The kidnappers were caught and executed. Frederick’s body was returned to England and finally brought to Gautby Hall. The ransom money was returned to his mother, who moved to Newby Hall in Yorkshire and built a church there in memory of her son.
Minting, Lincolnshire
In the 1930s Arthur Mee realised that there were very few communities that had not suffered military fatalities in the First World War. He coined the term ‘Thankful villages’ to describe them and Minting is one such village.
Waddingworth, Lincolnshire
This small medieval and Georgian church is almost on the spot that claims to be the centre of Lincolnshire and has a 13th century cross base within the churchyard that depicts this point.
Bardney Dairies, Lincolnshire
Alone in the fens between Bardeny and Wragby, this humble church has been used for worship for almost 150 years.
