The tower and chancel of All Saints' church date from the thirteenth century.

Peter Gray Collection, 1993

The east end of All Saints' church is close to the main village street. The east window - in the Early English chancel - was rebuilt in the 1870s.

August 2018

Bigby All Saints from SE

The approach along the south side of the church shows a wide variety of materials, including brick at the western end of the chancel. The timber porch with leaded lattice glazing is very characterful.

The church is listed Grade I: 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry 

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints from SW

The late 13th century tower has corner buttresses and a battlemented parapet supported on a corbel table. The ground falls away to the west making the tower appear very dominant from this angle.

Note the clock on the south face. The history of this is a mystery. It was given to the church in 1916 by Canon A F Sutton who, in his obituary of 1926, is credited with giving "some forty tower clocks” to churches in the diocese of Lincoln. The clock itself is thought to have been made c1850, has an inscription inside saying’1782 Thos Knight Thaxted Maker’, yet stands on a wooden trestle marked ‘Rev H Parry, The Rectory, Bigby, Barnetby Station, G C Railway.’ As Canon Sutton spent his last two years in the service of Earls Colne church, Essex – 16 miles from Thaxted – it might be assumed that he made a substantial purchase of clocks at that time!

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

The chancel is dominated by two large monuments to members of the Tyrwhitt family of Kettleby Manor.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

The chancel has Minton tiles, a painted reredos and, on the east wall, delicate terracotta floriate tiles. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

In the south wall of the chancel is a late C13 triple sedilia with free standing facetted shafts and plain arched heads. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

This gravestone lies flat just in front of the priest’s door. It dates from 1694 and records the death from smallpox of ‘Elizabeth Lee daughter of John Lee and Sarah his wife’. A skull and crossbones are engraved at the base.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

In the chancel a recumbent effigy of a lady, C14, feet resting on a dog, full dress with the wimple secured by a chin band, tightly fitting sleeves and little evidence of the recutting suggested by Pevsner. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry 

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints newer font.

The original font was stolen and during its absence the church used this handsome oval grey marble Georgian style example until 1878.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints old font

The 14th century font has, unusually, nine sides. It was stolen from the church and was later recognised in use as a water trough on the property of Mrs Sarah Beacock who restored it to its original purpose on 10th December 1878, as shown on the small tablet on the wall behind it.

The bowl has been set on a 19th century pedestal and there are Minton tiles on the floor around it.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

This tablet on the north wall of the chancel remembers Revd Charles James Barnard, Rector of the parish from 1833 to 1868.  Sadly during his time in office he lost four adult children all of whom have memorial tablets in the church: George Percy Barnard died in 1854 aged 23; Dudley Thomas Barnard died in 1855 aged 26; Louisa Charlotte Barnard died the same year aged 25; and in 1865 Pelham William Barnard died aged 31. This tablet is for the Rector and his wife. It reads: THIS TABLET/ IS ERECTED BY/ THEIR SURVIVING CHILDREN/ TO THE MEMORY OF/THE REVD/ CHARLES JAMES BARNARD/ 35 YEARS RECTOR OF/ THIS PARISH: WHO DIED AT TORQUAY,/ SEPTEMBER 29TH 1868,/ IN HIS 72ND YEAR. AND OF/ CAROLINE, HIS WIFE,/ ELDEST DAUGHTER OF/ ROBERT CARY ELWES, ESQRE/ OF GREAT BILLING, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE./ SHE DIED MAY 28TH 1866,/ IN HER 68TH YEAR, AT TORQUAY,/ WHERE THEY ARE BOTH INTERRED. One of their surviving children was Revd Charles Cary Barnard who married Charlotte Alington Pye, the successful ballad writer under her pen-name Claribel.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Attached to the south wall of the chancel in the arcade of the sedilia is this small brass to Edward Nayler who died in 1581. He and his wife kneel at a prayer desk with their two sons and five daughters. The inscription seems to read: HER LIETH YE BODY OF EDWARD NAYLER A FAITHFUL & PAIN FULL/ MINISTER OF GODS WORD & SOMETIME RECTOR OF THIS CHURCH WHO/ AFTER 16 YEARES GODLY & LEARNED LABOURS IN YE 25 DAY OF MAY/ 1581 CHANGED (?) THIS MISERABLE MORTALITIE INTO BLESSED ETERNITIE.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

A small but fine brass to Elizabeth Skipwith, c.1520.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Harold Elvin Howsam was a native of Bigby and was a server and bell-ringer here before he joined the RAF. The engraving says: In loving memory of Pilot Officer Harold Elvin Howsam of Bigby server and ringer in the church and Flight Sergeant Gordon Fletcher of London, Ontario and of comrades lost with them on active service with the pathfinder squadron RAF on the night of 12-13th June 1943 and laid to rest in the province of Friesland in Holland. Grant unto them O Lord, eternal rest.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

A simple wall tablet by masons A Shaw of Hull. Note also the small tablet which reads ‘Bigby 1914 -2014 A Thankful Village’ meaning that all who served in the First World War returned safely home.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Metal plaque on a white marble background.

It reads: In loving memory of Sophia Eleanora eldest daughter/ of Dudley Christopher Cary Elwes Esq and Mary June Sophia his wife/ widow of the Revd C A West Curate of Wrawby cum Brigg and of Wickenby/ and wife of the Rev Thomas Field BD Rector of Bigby/ she died May 5th 1873 and is buried near her parents in this churchyard/ Passed from Death into life John.5.24

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

A handsome marble tablet, this reads:

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM EVERATT HOBSON, LATE OF KETTLEBY THORPE; WHO DIED AT HIS RESIDENCE IN BRIGG, 24TH MAY 1868, IN THE 72ND YEAR OF HIS AGE. THIS TABLET IS ERECTED IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE, BY HIS WIDOW.

The work is signed W.D. KEYWORTH SCULPTOR, HULL

W D Keyworth was a very talented sculptor and much can be found about work undertaken by him and his son. See:

http://www.speel.me.uk/sculpt/keyworth.htm 

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

… monument to Sir Robert Tyrwhit, d. 1617 and Lady Bridget Manners d. 1604. The 2 figures, she headless, kneel opposite each other, contained in a framework of single Corinthian pillars supporting an entablature surmounted by an achievement of arms. Between the figures was originally an altar, now demolished. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry 

According to the church guidebook when Robert married Lady Bridget, who was a favourite lady in waiting to Queen Elizabeth I, he did so without the queen’s knowledge or consent. She had him arrested and thrown into a dungeon whence he was released because he became very ill. Lady Bridget was called back to court but died of ‘Ye Sicknesse’ at the age of 24. Both are buried in the church and the flat surface between the figures on the memorial is used as a credence table for the bread and wine.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

On the north side of the chancel is an immense alabaster tomb to Sir Robert Tyrwhitt of Kettleby, d.1581, and his wife.

A large tombchest supports the recumbent effigies, he armoured and resting on a paliasse, rolled at the base, and with a wildman or Woodwose at his feet, she with a lion at hers. Above is an architectural frame with Doric columns, cartouched plaque and momento mori surmounted by a shield of arms. Beneath, round the sides of the chest, 22 children appear as weepers for their parents.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

On the north side of the chancel is an immense alabaster tomb to Sir Robert Tyrwhitt of Kettleby, d.1581, and his wife.

A large tombchest supports the recumbent effigies, he armoured and resting on a paliasse, rolled at the base, and with a wildman or Woodwose at his feet, she with a lion at hers. Above is an architectural frame with Doric columns, cartouched plaque and momento mori surmounted by a shield of arms. Beneath, round the sides of the chest, 22 children appear as weepers for their parents.

 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry

The eastern end of the tomb shows the two figures beneath the feet of Robert and Elizabeth: a woodwose at his feet, the lion at hers and six sons facing north along the base.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

On the north side of the chancel is an immense alabaster tomb to Sir Robert Tyrwhitt of Kettleby, d.1581, and his wife. A large tombchest supports the recumbent effigies, he armoured and resting on a paliasse, rolled at the base, and with a wildman or Woodwose at his feet, she with a lion at hers. Above is an architectural frame with Doric columns, cartouched plaque and momento mori surmounted by a shield of arms. Beneath, round the sides of the chest, 22 children appear as weepers for their parents.

 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry

All the way around three sides of the tomb the children are depicted in a manner that indicates their age at death: in swaddling clothes if they were still born or died within 6 months; in cribs if they died in infancy.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

On the north side of the chancel is an immense alabaster tomb to Sir Robert Tyrwhitt of Kettleby, d.1581, and his wife.

A large tombchest supports the recumbent effigies, he armoured and resting on a paliasse, rolled at the base, and with a wildman or Woodwose at his feet, she with a lion at hers. Above is an architectural frame with Doric columns, cartouched plaque and momento mori surmounted by a shield of arms. Beneath, round the sides of the chest, 22 children appear as weepers for their parents.

 https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry

Some of the facial details of the main figures can be seen in this photograph.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints looking E

The north and south arcades are early 13th century. The chancel arch was replaced in the 19th century and the roofs and fittings are mainly 19th century.  The rood beam was commissioned from Oberammergau by Father H T Parry who served this church from 1897 to 1941 and it was installed in 1929. The chancel is dominated by the two Tyrwhitt monuments against the north wall.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints looking W

The tower arch is 13th century. The church has two fonts: the older one can be seen by the south door and the later one can just be seen at the west end of the north aisle.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

The wall was replaced in brick in a restoration of 1779 when the ironstone buttresses were rebuilt against it.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

At the east end of the north aisle this offertory plate is mounted on the wall. It was commissioned to remember Mr Les Bowness who was churchwarden for many years, but the carver, Mr Hugh Carr died before the work was complete. It therefore serves as a memorial of them both. The text around the rim reads: Les Bowness Church Warden 1965-1991 Given by his friends in recognition of his outstanding service and devotion to Bigby Church.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

This instrument is believed to date from the later 19th century but was installed in Bigby church in 1930s. Until 1985 it was hand pumped.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

This notice survives behind glass in the porch of the church. It explains the Anglo-Catholic principles of the rituals and practices in use at the height of the Tractarian movement of the 19th century. This notice is becoming hard to read in parts but a full transcription can be found at: 

https://www.patrickcomerford.com/2022/09/the-guiding-principles-behind-ornaments.html

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

In the south aisle is a cusped trefoil headed ogee piscina, late C13.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry 

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

South porch C19, of wood, framed construction, leaded lattice side lights and castellations and other decoration; a fine piece.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry 

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

A headless figure of a seated Virgin and Child in limestone; a fine carving of the late C13. 

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063405?section=official-list-entry 

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints bell peal record 1923.

The church guidebook says that the tower originally held three 17th century bells of which a visitor wrote in 1799 ‘Their jarring dissonance of ill-according sounds never grated harsher music!’. When Father Parry became Rector he had them re-cast and added three new ones. This commemorates the first peal rung on them in 1923 when Revd Parry himself took part.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints bell peal record 1939.

The church guidebook says that the tower originally held three 17th century bells of which a visitor wrote in 1799 ‘Their jarring dissonance of ill-according sounds never grated harsher music!’. When Father Parry became Rector he had the bells re-cast and added three new ones. This shows the achievement by ringers in 1939.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints east window

The east window is in memory of Father Thomas Field, Rector of Bigby from 1868 – 1896. The left hand light shows the risen Lord showing his wounds to ‘Doubting’ Thomas who kneels and cries ‘My Lord and my God’. The right hand light depicts the risen Lord appearing to Peter and the Apostles by the shore when Peter recognises Him and shouts ‘ It is the Lord!’  The central light shows Christ as if present and blessing the congregation. The painted and gilded reredos supports the altar cross

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints Elwes window

In the south wall of the chancel is this window in memory of a member of the Elwes family.

It reads ‘TO THE DEAR MEMORY OF THEIR FATHER DUDLEY CHRISTOPHER CARY ELWES/ THIS WINDOW IS DEDICATED BY HIS SURVIVING CHILDREN 1852.

It depicts scenes from the life of Christ: bottom left: at prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed. Bottom right: the Crucifixion. Top left: the Resurrection and top right: the Ascension.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

 Bigby All Saints from chancel side window

This window gives light on the south side of the sanctuary. It appears to be part of the restoration of 1876. It is perhaps narrower than that there before, as its insertion has involved a variety of types of masonry, including limestone, ironstone and chalk.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints sanctuary south window

This window is in memory of Mary Anne Sophia Elwes, wife of Dudley C C Elwes. The right hand light shows the Resurrection of Our Lord; that on the left the raising of Jairus’ daughter.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby All Saints window in S aisle

At the east end of the south aisle this window depicts Joseph of Arimathea in the left light and St Nathaniel in the right. It is in memory of two members of the Maw family: Matthew Maw of Brigg who died Nov. 12th 1810 aged 70 yrs; and Matthew Maw of Brigg who died at Cleatham April 18th 1880 aged 87 years.

Jean Howard 2 May 2024

Bigby lies some 4 miles east of Brigg & has a population of around 350. Pingley Farm, or Camp 81, was the site of a WWII prisoner of war camp & was purpose-built to house 750 low-risk Italian prisoners.

Undated postcard by Raphael Tuck