St Wilfrid

Marvellous 14th century church, renovated by Sir George Gilbert Scott and birthplace of Anne Hutchinson, first female preacher in American history.

Alford, Lincolnshire

Opening times

Open daily from dawn to late afternoon.

Address

Church Street
Alford
Lincolnshire
LN13 9EQ

Anne was the daughter of Alford's vicar, Francis Marbury, who taught her theology. In 1634 she emigrated to America with her husband and family, She hosted Bible study groups in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, but her teaching was so radical that she was excommunicated and forced to leave the colony. She settled in the Rhode Island colony in 1642 and died in an attack by native Americans the following year.

The church contains a memorial to Anne on the left wall near the font.

Of note also is the parvise, over the south porch. It is a small chamber that was originally used as quarters for the priest. In 1569 the parvise was used as the home of a grammar school dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I.

Key features