West Torrington

West Torrington, St Mary

St Mary's was rebuilt in 1860 by R J Withers re-using medieval masonry, and consists of nave with western bell-cote and chancel.

The building is no longer in use as a church.

August 2013

West Torrington, St Mary church

West Torrington, St Mary

St Mary's was rebuilt in 1860 by R J Withers re-using medieval masonry, and consists of nave with western bell-cote and chancel.

The building is no longer in use as a church.

August 2013

West Torrington, St Mary church, R J Withers

West Torrington, St Mary

View of St Marys' nave from the north.

August 2015

West Torrington, St Mark church

West Torrington, St Mary

View of the porch and double bellcote. Pevsner speculates that the bellcote predates the Victorian restoration.

August 2015

West Torrington, St Mark church

West Torrington, St Mary

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states :-

"The church of St. Mary, rebuilt by subscription in 1862, from the designs of Mr. Withers, is a small edifice of stone in the Early Decorated style, consisting of chancel, nave, vestry, south porch and a turret containing one bell:

during the restoration of the church, the battered remains of an effigy of a Knight Templar were found outside the church, confirming a tradition, of long standing, that three crusaders had been respectively buried at Panton, Buslingthorpe and West Torrington:

the other effigies still exist in the two former churches; the fragments discovered have been placed near the font, which is a fine and unusually large structure of the Norman period:

the stained east window is a memorial to William George Ernest Windham Gerald B.A. of St. John's College, Oxford:

there are 116 sittings"

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church

West Torrington, St Mary

The church was largely rebuilt in 1860/1 re-using much of the fourteenth-century masonry. The exercise cost £800, which was raised by public subscription.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church

West Torrington, St Mary

The church has been redundant since 2011. Attempts to sell it, firstly as a craft workshop and subsequently with planning consent for extension and conversion to a house, have failed.

At the time of this photograph a group of villagers are hoping to purchase it to become a community centre.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington,

West Torrington, St Mary, Aumbry

During the incumbency of the Revd Thomas Wimberley Mossman, who served here from 1859-1885, the church was restored under architect R J Withers in 1860.

The chancel was decorated in High Church style as shown by the decoration around the aumbry. The outer design here is probably stencilled, the moulding painted in red with gilding.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, aumbry, Revd Thomas Wimberley Mossman

West Torrington, St Mary, Bellcote

The attractive double bellcote above the west gable.

August 2018

West Torrington, St Mark, bellcote

West Torrington, St Mary, Bust

This bust, presently on the vestry windowsill, is thought to be of one of Revd T W Mossman's grandsons, Lieut Col George Arthur Tryon MC. He was born to Revd Arthur William Tryon, Vicar of Middle Rasen, and his wife Mary nee Mossman.

George attended De Aston (Market Rasen) and Uppingham Schools, won a scholarship to Pembroke College, Cambridge where he gained a degree in mathematics.

He was teaching at Oundle School when he enlisted at the outbreak of war. He was killed in action aged 32 on 7 November 1918, four days before the armistice.

A fine wall monument for him is in Middle Rasen church.

See:

http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Lincolnshire/MarketRasenDeAstonSchool.html

http://oundle-heritage.daisy.websds.net/Filename.ashx?systemFileName=OUNRoH000199.pdf&origFilename=OUNRoH000199.pdf

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, bust

West Torrington, St Mary, Churchyard

Signboard at the entrance to the churchyard.

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Churchyard, noticeboard

West Torrington, St Mary, Churchyard Cross

"Cross. C14. 1700, 1892. Limestone ashlar. 3 steps, the lower 2 C19, the central step inscribed with dedication to Reverend T. W. Mossman and his wife Anne"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063069

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church

West Torrington, St Mary, Churchyard Cross

The original section of the fourteenth-century cross is the top step and the bottom half of the shaft, marked just below the join with the date 1700.

The structure was rebuilt and placed on the two lower steps in 1880s.

The head of the cross depicts the Crucifixion on the west face (shown) and the Madonna and Child to the east.

After his death the steps were engraved in memory of the Revd Thomas Wimberley Mossman and his wife Anne. Part of the text reads "The steps of this cross were restored by friends in ever loving memory of Rev Thomas Wimberley Mossman and Ann his wife".

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063069

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington,

West Torrington, St Mary, East Window

The east window is by Clayton & Bell and dates from 1884. The central light is a fine depiction of the Crucifixion with tendrils of passion flowers; the left light shows the Virgin Mary and the right light St Peter.

The dedication beneath is partly obscured; "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of William George Ernest Gerald BA of St John's College Oxford who died 15 January 1883 ... window is erected RIP."

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, window, stained glass

West Torrington, St Mary, Font

"Early C12 font with beaded interesecting arcade and scalloped capitals"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1147481

Viewed through a partly broken window.

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, Font

West Torrington, St Mary, Font

A beautiful Norman tub font with intersecting arches of a double arcade, dating from around 1100.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, Font

West Torrington, St Mary, Grave Tools

Presently in the vestry, these wooden poles are pudlocks, traditionally used to carry a coffin. The two smaller ones were for a child's coffin and the two larger for an adult.

The bearers would use them to transport the coffin from church, lowering the coffin onto the grave space; webbing was then threaded through the coffin handles. At a signal from the minister the bearers would take the weight with the webbing and the sexton would withdraw the pudlocks to allow the coffin to be lowered into the grave.

This carrying method is no longer used because of modern health and safety rules.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, grave tools, pudlocks

West Torrington, St Mary, Harmonium

The harmonium was supplied by Jesse Hall, 137 Eastgate, Louth. Jesse Hall dealt in music and musical instruments in Louth for over 50 years, but he operated from this address between c.1892-1926.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, harmonium, Jesse Hall

West Torrington, St Mary, Harmonium

The harmonium was made by R F Stevens of London NW, established 1859.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, harmonium

West Torrington, St Mary, Interior

View across the church through a partly broken window.

Reported by the BBC on 20 April 2012 that :-

"A church with a congregation of just one person has been put up for sale in Lincolnshire.

The church of St Mary, West Torrington, has a guide price of £30,000"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-17784656

Unfortunately the church is now closed and is presumably receiving very little if any maintenance - apart from a few partly broken windows it was evident that some of the roof tiles had slipped.

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church

West Torrington, St Mary, Interior

Viewed through a partly broken window.

"Thomas Wimberley Mossman was vicar 1859-1885 and brought about the restoration of the church.

He was an important and controversial figure in the Oxford movement, correspondent of Cardinal Newman and founder of a Brotherhood aimed at financing young men from poor backgrounds through their training at Theological College and thus into the priesthood.

Mossman was also notable as an historian and active Liberal politician and a crucial figure in the early Oecumenical Movement"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1147481

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Saint Mary, Church, Thomas Wimberley Mossman

West Torrington, St Mary, Interior

Nine years of disuse is evident in this view towards the chancel.

The light which can be seen intruding at the ridge in front of the chancel arch betrays one of the holes in the roof.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church

West Torrington, St Mary, Interior

Fallen plaster and a red plastic bucket indicate the need for repairs. Despite this forlorn appearance the church is listed Grade II - see

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1147481

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church

West Torrington, St Mary, Label Stop

Inside the porch by the south doorway the head of a bishop as the label stop.

August 2018

West Torrington, St Mark, label stop

West Torrington, St Mary, Lectern

A lectern with common design dating from the late 19th or early 20th century.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington,

West Torrington, St Mary, Posters

In store in the vestry these two "posters" appear to have been used for advertising Christmas and Easter services.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, poster

West Torrington, St Mary, Pulpit

According to Historic England this is a twentieth-century pulpit re-using eighteenth-century turned columns with knops.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, pulpit

West Torrington, St Mary, Reredos

Described by Historic England as having coloured mosaic panels.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, reredos

West Torrington, St Mary, Sedilia

A double sedilia decorated as part of the scheme in the chancel.

A Latin text on the back wall commemorates members of the Mossman family, including Louisa Mossman and Robert Mossman.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mary, Church, Sedilia, Louisa Mossman, Robert Mossman

West Torrington, St Mary, Vestry Doorway

Another element in the decorative scheme in the chancel, this doorway leads into the vestry. A frieze of oak leaves frames the attractive opening.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church

West Torrington, St Mary, War Memorial

The white marble tablet is fixed on the west wall inside the church porch. It unusually records those who died, those who were injured and those who returned safely.

The name Rowson appears six times, including nurse Lucy Rowson.

It was dedicated in January 1922. For more information see: https://westtorrington.org.uk/the-war-memorial.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mary, War Memorial, Lucy Rowson

West Torrington, St Mary, West Window

The west window depicts the nativity. The stable has a straw thatch and the angel and Mary kneel on sheaves of wheat. A shaft of gold and silver light shines onto the Christ child lying on a clean white sheet.

The quotation beneath reads "The Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us." In the corner the dedication is: "To the Glory of God. This window is erected in loving memory of Ernestine M Gerald, also George M Butler and his wife Georgina E W Butler RIP."

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Saint Mark, Church, stained glass, Ernestine Gerald, George Butler, Georgina Butler

West Torrington, United Free Methodist Chapel

In "A List And Brief Details Of Chapels In The Market Rasen & Caistor Circuit Past And Present" prepared by Colin Shepherdson & Eileen H Mumby September 1997 (revised August 1998) it is stated that :-

"A chapel was built in 1859 and the last service occurred in September 1933"

August 2015

West Torrington, United Free Methodist Chapel

Although out of use as a place of worship for many years, the old chapel appears to be in relatively good condition.

August 2015

West Torrington, United Free Methodist Chapel

Undated postcard of the former Methodist chapel.

The extension to the right was the Sunday School room.

West Torrington, United Free Methodist Chapel

Difficult to fully decipher the inscription on the date stone above the door.

???? METHODIST

???? CHURCH

A.D. 1859

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1919 states

"There is a Wesleyan chapel, built in 1859, and a United Methodist chapel, erected in the same year"

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, United Free Methodist Chapel

Built in 1859, the last service held here was in September 1933. The scar in the rendering shows where the later Sunday School was attached to the original building.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, United Free Methodist Chapel

West Torrington, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

In "A List And Brief Details Of Chapels In The Market Rasen & Caistor Circuit Past And Present" prepared by Colin Shepherdson & Eileen H Mumby September 1997 (revised August 1998) it is stated that :-

"i) A house was registered in 1769 and a chapel built in 1843.

ii) A second chapel was built in 1859 and a Sunday school added to the side in 1893. It is still in use with a membership of 8"

Unfortunately the chapel closed in 2007.

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

Inscription above the side extension states "THE CARR MEMORIAL 1893".

There is a simple date stone above the main entrance reading "1859".

DB 18 April 2019

West Torrington, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

Planning consent has been given for the conversion of the chapel into accommodation which will be linked to a new building towards the back of the plot of land.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

This view from the rear shows how extensive is the red brick addition to the original building.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

This is the second Wesleyan chapel built in West Torrington, this one in 1859. The red brick extension to the right was added in 1893 as a Sunday school.

The chapel closed in 2007.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel

West Torrington, Wheelwright's Shop

The building to the rear, presently lacking pantiles, has a most impressive chimney, though it is not the building marked on maps as the village smithy.

It would appear to have been the premises of Butler's, wheelwrights for three generations as noted in Directories from 1868-1933.

The cottage which formerly stood alongside was the village shop and Post Office.

Jean Howard, 15 June 2021

West Torrington, Butler, wheelwright