St Mary

Pause in the churchyard before entering St Mary's. Of significant interest is the War Memorial erected in the early 1920s and the former flag mast from RAF Scampton which was erected in 1997. The stone cross set further back is in memory to Dr Richard Smith, founder of Christ's Hospital School Lincoln (the Bluecoat School) who died in 1602. And then as you approach the tower, take a look at the boulders that lie against the wall, these were carried to the village during the ice age! Apart from the pillars and arches within the church, most of what you see is much later than its Norman origins, for in 1442 St Mary's burnt down. The tower was rebuilt in 1768 and the body of the church in 1823. The east end is unusually shaped like five sides of an octagon. A choir vestry was added on the north side in 1921 in memory of Bishop Edward King. Above and behind the font, on the west wall of the tower, hang the hatchments, the Royal Coat of Arms of King George III, dated 1838.

Following the reformation and the assertion of the royal supremacy, these were required by law to be placed in all churches. Below them is an oil painting of the Holy family given to the church in 1925. Closer inspection of the painting reveals that it is by a Florentine artist by the name of Carlo Falcini Depinse, dated 1847. Further memorials to war heroes are found within the church. A brass plaque records the names of those who lost their lives in WWI and a stained glass window commemorates the RAF personnel who served in the same war. At one time there was a gallery up against this wall but it was removed in 1876. At the same time the box pews were replaced with pine benches. The gallery would have been used by the orchestra which provided music for the services until 1851. There is too much to mention on this page, you really need to visit Welton and see for yourself the hidden secrets.