This was a four-sailed mill with three floors, which last worked in the final decade of the nineteenth century.

Jon Sass Collection, photograph c.1905

East Mill in Corringham stands alone in a field to the east of the village and is the home of barn owls.

Location of mill: SK 879 909

Peter Kirk Collection, 1998

The memorial gateway leading to St Laurence Church, Corringham.

May 2012

View of St Laurence from the south-east.

May 2012

The lower stage of the tall west tower of St Lawrence is 11th century, with customary twin bell-openings with mid-wall shafts.

Inside, the nave arcades are Norman (north) and Early English (south).

Kelly's Directory 1930 reports :-

"The church of St. Lawrence, supposed to have been rebuilt by Leofric in the time of Edward the Confessor, is an ancient edifice of stone in the Norman, Early English, Late Decorated and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel with north chapel, nave with clerestory, aisles, north transeptal chapel, south transept, vestry, south porch, and a western tower of Norman date, with an embattled parapet added in 1606, and containing 6 bells:

the handsome screen, the lower portion of which is part of an original Perpendicular rood screen, was erected at the rectory in 1884; the rood figures were added in memory of Major H. Robinson, who fell in the Great War, by his wife, in 1921:

the chancel retains an aumbry, piscine and credence:

in the north transept, used as the lady chapel in which daily services are held, are two stained windows, one erected by F. Wells esq. and another, inserted as a memorial to him, in 1862:

there were five additional stained windows put up in 1884, including those at the east end of the chancel and of the south aisle, which are in memory of Sir Thomas Beckett bart. and Lady Beckett respectively:

in the south transept is a memorial chapel with an altar and inscriptions to the men who fell in the Great War, and also to Miss Mary Beckett who restored the church, and to Canon Westbrooke, a former vicar: here is also a richly decorated window, lately given by Sir Hickman Beckett Bacon bart. in memory of Miss Beckett:

the font was presented in 1849 by George Green, mason, of Gainsborough, and is a copy of that in Thorpe church, near Spilsby:

beneath a bold segmental arch in the chancel is the altar tomb of William-de-la-Gare, archdeacon of Lincoln and prebendary of Corringham, who died at the prebendal house, Corringham, 21st Dec. 1290 ; there is also a brass to another prebendary of Corringham, Henry Clifford, ob. 16th of Feb. 1628, and some fine monuments to the Beckett family :

the roofs were renewed and lowered in 1830:

the church had been repaired at the cost of Sir Thomas Beckett bart. but was completely restored in 1882-84, under the direction of Messrs. Bodley and Garner, architects, of London, at a cost of £10,000, wholly defrayed by Miss Beckett: the restoration embraced a new south porch, and new roofs of oak to the aisles and north transept:

there is a magnificent reredos, panelled and gilt, with paintings of the " Adoration of the Magi " and of angels holding shields with the sacred monograms:

the transept, nave and chancel roofs are decorated in gold and colours, and the old choir stalls have been carefully refixed:

there are 250 sittings"

DB 15 May 2016

Looking east towards the altar.

"There are 5 steps up to the altar, probably reflecting C14 ritual arrangement ... the turned baluster altar rails are C18"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry 

DB 14 May 2023

Looking west towards the screen and nave beyond.

DB 14 May 2023

The impressive reredos behind the altar was introduced by Bodley as part of the 1883-84 restoration scheme.

May 2012

A closer view of the sanctuary. 

Before later restorations White's Directory 1856 reports :-

"The parish Church (St. Lawrence,) is in Great Corringham, and is an ancient structure, consisting of a nave, a chancel, with a transept on the north side, and a square tower.

One of the monuments, dated 1628, has kneeling figures of the Rev. Henry Clifford, his wife, and three sons.

The benefice is a vicarage, valued in K.B. at £12, and now at £280, in the patronage of the Bishop of Lincoln, and incumbency of the Rev. George Dods, D.D.

The tithes are commuted for yearly rent-charges.

Corringham gives name to a prebendal stall in Lincoln Cathedral, and to a deanery in the Archdeaconry of Stow.

The Vicarage House is a neat and commodious building, erected in 1847.

The church was repaired in 1849, when a new font was presented by Mr. George Green, the mason"

DB 14 May 2023

Local information has :- 

"The restored 15th. Century East Window has very wide lights and tracery openings. The central light features the Crucifixion, Saint Laurence is on the left. This window is by Kempe, his coat of arms appear in the tracery as also do the Beckett family arms, this is one of the last windows in which Kempe's arms appear"

DB 14 May 2023

"C14 Easter sepulchre with central, presumably repositioned, clerical head"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry 

DB 14 May 2023

"A marble wall tablet in Greek taste to Sir John Beckett d.1847 is grouped with 3 other C19 Beckett memorials in the chancel"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry  

"THE RIGHT HONBLE SIR JOHN BECKETT, BART. OF SOMERBY PARK. IN THIS COUNTY; A BENCHER OF THE INNER TEMPLE, AND FORMERLY A FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. HE WAS BORN MAY 17TH 1775, DIED MAY 31ST 1847, AGED 72 YEARS . 

EMINENT AS A SCHOLAR, A LAWYER, AND A POLITICIAN. HE FILLED VARIOUS OFFICES IN THE STATE WITH FIDELITY AND HONOR, AND WAS A PRIVY COUNCELLOR FOR THE LONG PERIOD OF THIRTY YEARS. 

HE WAS HONORED BY THE REGARD AND FRIENDSHIP OF TWO SUCCESSIVE SOVEREIGNS, AND LIVED ON TERMS OF CLOSE INTIMACY, WITH THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS CHARACTERS OF HIS DAY. 

HIS VARIOUS KNOWLEDGE AND DISCERNING JUDGMENT MADE HIM MOST VALUABLE IN COUNCIL. HE WAS ALIKE DISTINGUISHED FOR THE INFLEXIBILITY OF HIS PRINCIPLE. HIS EARNEST ZEAL IN SUPPORT OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH HIS UPRIGHTNESS AND INTEGRITY AS A PUBLIC MAN, AS FOR THE UNVARYING COURTESY AND KINDNESS WITH WHICH HE FULFILLED ALL THE DUTIES OF PRIVATE LIFE 

HIS REMAINS ARE INTERRED IN THE VAULT OF HIS GREAT-GRANDFATHER, EDMUND, LORD BISHOP OF LONDON, AT FULHAM, IN THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX, AND THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY HIS WIDOW, THE LADY ANNE BECKETT; FOURTH DAUGHTER OF WILLIAM, 1ST EARL OF LONSDALE, K.G." 

DB 14 May 2023

"SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE REVD GEORGE BECKETT, M.A. LATE OF TRIN. COLL. CAMBRIDGE. YOUNGEST SON OF SIR JOHN BECKETT BART. OF LEEDS, AND OF SOMERBY PARK, IN THIS PARISH. HE WAS PREBENDARY OF CORRINGHAM CUM STOW, RECTOR OF EPWORTH, AND VICAR OF GAINSBOROUGH.

HE WAS A LEARNED DIVINE AND AN ACCOMPLISHED SCHOLAR AND WAS MUCH LOVED IN PRIVATE LIFE FROM THE BENEVOLENCE OF HIS DISPOSITION.

HE DIED IN LONDON, AFTER A SHORT ILLNESS, ON THE 13TH OF APRIL 1843, IN THE 51ST YEAR OF HIS AGE. HIS REMAINS ARE DEPOSITED AT FULHAM, IN MIDDLESEX, IN THE VAULT OF HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER, EDMUND, LORD BISHOP OF LONDON"

DB 14 May 2023

"SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF SIR JOHN BECKETT BART, OF SOMERBY PARK IN THIS PARISH AND OF LEEDS IN THE COUNTY OF YORK, HE DIED SEPR 18TH 1826, IN THE 84TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.

ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF DAME MARY BECKETT, RELICT OF THE ABOVE NAMED SIR JOHN BECKETT, SHE DIED FEBRY 21ST 1833 IN THE 84TH YEAR OF HER AGE.

THEIR REMAIN ARE DEPOSITED IN THE CHOIR OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF LEEDS

DB 14 May 2023

"To the glory of God and in memory of Sir Thomas Beckett Bart. of Somerby in this Parish. Born 1st January 1779 Died 17th Novr 1872. The east window in the chancel of this Church is erected by his daughters Mary Beckett + Dame Elizabeth Bacon"

DB 14 May 2023

"In the north wall is a C17 brass to Clifford"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry 

White's Directory 1856 notes "One of the monuments, dated 1628, has kneeling figures of the Rev. Henry Clifford, his wife, and three sons"

DB 14 May 2023

"In the north wall is ... an unusual painted metal panel dated 1631 with decorated borders and shield"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry

DB 14 May 2023

"the ... misericord seats at the west end of the chancel date from C15"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry 

DB 14 May 2023

In 1883-84 Bodley redecorated much of the church, including the painted chancel ceiling.

May 2012

The restoration work of Bodley in 1883-84 included the screen between nave and chancel.

Only a small lower portion of the rood is thought to be original.

May 2012

"SACRED to the Memory of RICHARD BECKETT of the Coldstream Regiment of Guards who fell at the Battle of Talavera de la Reyna in SPAIN, on the 28th of July 1809, aged 27 Years.

He was killed by a Musket Shot while actively discharging his Duty as Brigade Major to the Brigade of Guard, which formed Part of the British Army in that memorable Engagement. 

"Dulce et decorum est pro Patria mori",

This Tablet is erected by the afflicted Father of a dutiful and dearly beloved Son" 

Google Translate renders the Latin phrase as "It is sweet and glorious to die for the fatherland".

DB 14 May 2023

Local information notes that the two lancet windows in the Chancel South wall are by Kempe. 

DB 14 May 2023

Local information notes that the two lancet windows in the Chancel South wall are by Kempe. 

DB 14 May 2023

A stone coffin, hiding behind a pew, which local signage states was discovered in 1882.

DB 14 May 2023

Looking east towards the screen and chancel beyond.

DB 14 May 2023

The church has a two-bay Norman north arcade with round arches.

The pier is circular with a square abacus and the capital, shown here, is "uncommonly fine, of leaf-crocket kind" (Pevsner).

May 2012

"Nave, north transept and chancel roofs are of tie beam construction from 1882 and are elaborately carved and painted"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry 

DB 14 May 2023

Looking west towards a single restored lancet.

DB 14 May 2023

Looking east towards the north transept and organ.

DB 14 May 2023

Lady Chapel in the north transept.

Kelly's Directory notes "in the north transept, used as the lady chapel in which daily services are held, are two stained windows, one erected by F. Wells esq. and another, inserted as a memorial to him, in 1862"

DB 14 May 2023

Bier photographed in the north transept. The inscription reads "IN MEMORY OF MISS MARY BECKETT. PRESENTED TO CORRINGHAM CHURCH BY THE TENANTS OF CORRINGHAM & SOMERBY & A FEW FRIENDS 1915"

DB 14 May 2023

"TO THE MEMORY OF THE LATE FRANCIS WELLS ESQR. OF DUNSTALL BY HIS SISTER ELIZABETH AD 1862"

Local information has :-  

"The two stained glass windows in the Lady Chapel are both con-nected to F Wells, Esq. of Dunstan, he erected the North Window in 1852 and the East Window was erected in his memory in 1862.

Pevsner, in his guide, describes the 1862 window as "pictorial and terrible" and attributes it to Wailes, a famous craftsman of the period. However, Lawrence Bond is of the opinion that the 1852 window looks more like Wailes' work.

The North panel of the East Window was badly damaged during two burglaries which took place in 1993, approximately two-thirds of this part of the window having to be replaced. The restoration being carried out by David J. B. Sear of the Lincolnshire Stained Glass Studio" 

DB 14 May 2023

"A MEMORIAL OF AFFECTION FROM FRANCIS WELLS ESQUIRE OF DUNSTALL TO HIS BELOVED SISTER MARY A.D. 1856"

DB 14 May 2023

The organ case in St Laurence church was decorated by Bodley as part of his restoration scheme of 1883-84.

May 2012

A second view of the organ.

DB 14 May 2023

Rear view of the organ from the north transept.

Organ built by Wordsworth & Maskell in 1886. Included in the National Pipe Organ Register :-

https://www.npor.org.uk/survey/D03794

DB 12 May 2019

Looking west towards the entrance.

DB 14 May 2023

Looking east towards the Warrior Chapel.

DB 14 May 2023

Elaborate candle holder positioned immediately outside the Warrior Chapel.

DB 14 May 2023

Screen in front of the Warrior Chapel.

DB 14 May 2023

Looking east towards the altar and wooden reredos.

Kelly's Directory 1930 notes "in the south transept is a memorial chapel with an altar and inscriptions to the men who fell in the Great War, and also to Miss Mary Beckett who restored the church, and to Canon Westbrooke, a former vicar: here is also a richly decorated window, lately given by Sir Hickman Beckett Bacon bart. in memory of Miss Beckett"

DB 14 May 2023

A Jesse Window, in the Warrior Chapel, at the east end of the south aisle.

DB 14 May 2023

"IN MEMORY OF SIR THOMAS BECKETT BARONET, OF SOMERBY PARK IN THIS COUNTY. HE WAS BORN JANUARY 1ST 1779 AND DIED NOVEMBER 17TH 1872. HIS REMAINS ARE INTERRED IN A VAULT IN THE CHANCEL OF THIS CHURCH. 

HE SUCCEEDED HIS BROTHER THE RIGHT HONBLE SIR JOHN BECKETT BARONET, IN 1847; HE COMMENCED THE INCLOSURE OF HIS ESTATES IN THIS NEIGHBOURHOOD IN 1848: THIS WORK HE LIVED TO SEE COMPLETED.

THIS TABLET WAS, ERECTED TO HIS MEMORY, BY THE TENANTS OF HIS CORRINGHAM AND SPRINGTHORPE ESTATES, AS A TOKEN OF THE HIGH ESTEEM IN WHICH HE WAS HELD BY THEM AS A LANDLORD.

DB 14 May 2023

C19 piscina,

DB 14 May 2023

Plaque attached to the wooden reredos. 

"TO THE MEMORY OF THE AIRCREW WHO DIED ON A TRAINING FLIGHT OVER CORRINGHAM ON 16 DECEMBER 1943"

DB 14 May 2023

Roll of honour incorporated into the wooden reredos.

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD and in grateful and affectionate remembrance of the men of this Parish who lost their lives for their King and Country in two World Wars 1914 - 1918 : 1939 - 1945. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends"

DB 14 May 2023

Text at the bottom of the window partially obscured but in part it reads "Remember Mary Beckett of ... in this Parish who died on the 21st day of February 19.. ... this Church was restored 1882-1884"

A Miss Beckett listed in Kelly's Directory 1913 living at Somerby Hall. 

Kelly's Directory 1930 has "in the south transept is a memorial chapel with an altar and inscriptions to the men who fell in the Great War, and also to Miss Mary Beckett who restored the church, and to Canon Westbrooke, a former vicar: here is also a richly decorated window, lately given by Sir Hickman Beckett Bacon bart. in memory of Miss Beckett"

DB 14 May 2023

"The massive tower arch has ... 2 double orders of roll moulding, with a square section hood mould to its round head"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry 

DB 14 May 2023

"The C13 font is a circular blank arcaded bowl resting on an octagonal base with detached round shafts decorated with conceptual foliage sprigs and heads"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064162?section=official-list-entry 

Kelly's Directory 1930 has "the font was presented in 1849 by George Green, mason, of Gainsborough, and is a copy of that in Thorpe church, near Spilsby"

The font does not look sufficiently time worn to be C13 so perhaps the 1849 date is more likely?

DB 14 May 2023

This three-storey mill with four sails was no longer operating at the turn of the twentieth century.

Jon Sass Collection, undated photograph