Former school now the village hall.

White's Directory 1872 has " Here is a School which is supported by the landowners and the farmers, and attended by about 60 children"

Also "Robinson Richard, shopkeeper, draper and parish schoolmaster".

DB 6 July 2022 

Welton le Marsh old school

A view of the school from the main road.

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

Built in brick in the eighteenth-century on a medieval chalk base, St Martin's, Welton-le-Marsh, had its windows Gothicised by interfering Victorians in 1891.

Mark Acton, August 2013

Re-construction of the brickwork around the windows on the south side of the nave occurred when the original (round-headed) windows were replaced by Gothic ones in the 19th century.

August 2013

The original, medieval chalk base of the church with eighteenth century red brick (in English Bond) above.

August 2013

Kelly's Directory 1930 reads :-

"The church of St. Martin, re-erected in 1797, is an edifice of stone and brick, consisting of chancel, nave, western porch and tower with four pinnacles, containing one bell :

the church was restored in 1891:

the original 14th century font basin was discovered in a field in 1912, in use as a cattle trough ; it was replaced, mounted on a shaft and base of appropriate design and re-dedicated in 1914:

there are 200 sittings".

DB 6 July 2022

White's Directory 1872 has :-

"The Church (St. Martin), which was rebuilt in 1792, is a neat building of brick and stone, consisting of nave, chancel, and square tower, with one bell.

The benefice is a vicarage, valued in KB. at £14. 7s. 10d., and now consolidated with the rectory of Gunby St. Peter, jointly worth £310 per annum, in the joint patronage of Mrs. Hairby and C. L. Massingberd, Esq., the impropiator, and in the incumbency of the Rev. William Maxwell Smith, who has a commodious residence here".

DB 6 July 2022

"Parish church. Medieval base, rebuilt late C18, altered 1891"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063626?section=official-list-entry 

DB 6 July 2022

Welton le Marsh St Martin from ESE.

The ground falls away steeply to the north and east of the church where the churchyard is defined by the beck. Despite this, no buttresses secure the church walls, although two metal ties have been used in the gable end of the chancel. The interior has a flat ceiling but circular windows in the eastern gables give light into the roof void. Pointing above the nave windows reveals that taller round-headed windows have since been fitted with smaller gothic tracery. The walls are corbelled out with three courses of brick at the eaves. The tower is topped with four curious lead pinnacles. The church is Grade II* listed:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063626?section=official-list-entry

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

Welton le Marsh St Martin from SE

This view shows the relationship between the church and the bier-house, a small brick building just inside the vehicular access to the churchyard. It is a well-built construction with a cross on the gable end and still houses the parish bier.

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

A small building in the churchyard.

DB 6 July 2022

A serviceable bootscraper is provided by the west door, complete with a rather dangerous corner projection.

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

Looking towards the sanctuary and C19 east window.

DB 6 July 2022

A closer view of the sanctuary.

The Church Guide mentions that the chalice is by Thomas Evesdon dated 1718. 

DB 6 July 2022

"SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE REVEREND EDWARD WALLS, B.C.L. OF BOOTHBY IN THIS PARISH, RECTOR OF WILLOUGHBY AND OF FIRSBY, AND PREBENDARY OF SUTTON IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF LINCOLN; AND OF MARY HIS WIFE, ONLY DAUGHTER OF THOMAS BOOTH. GENT. OF WAINFLEET ST MARY'S: ALSO OF THEIR ELDEST SON, RICHARD WALLS, OF TRIN. COLL. CAM. AND OF ELIZABETH, THEIR SECOND DAUGHTER, WIFE OF A. BELLINGHAM, ESQRE AFTERWARDS SIR ALAN BELLINGHAM. BART ... "

DB 6 July 2022

"TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF MARY. ELDEST DAUGHTER OF THE REVD EDWARD AND MARY WALLS, OF BOOTHBY HALL, IN THIS COUNTY, AND IN ADMIRATION OF HER PURE AND UNSELFISH LIFE THIS TABLET IS PLACED BY HER ONLY SURVIVING SISTER. SHE DIED AT SPILSBY, JULY 9TH 1851, AGED 76 YEARS"

DB 6 July 2022

Memorial to Joseph Nixon Crosthwaite d.1951 a former vicar.

A similar memorial to Mabel Eveline Crosthwaite his wife d.1966 mentions that she was organist of Welton and Gunby Churches for over forty years.

DB 6 July 2022

Many churches display a banner from the Mother’s Union, but one for this society is quite rare. Established in 1875 the Society was begun by an Irish clergyman’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth Townsend. At one time it provided hostels and sent missionaries overseas. There are now only two branches in Lincolnshire: at Wainfleet and Frodingham. See:

https://girlsfriendlysociety.org.uk/about-gfs/ 

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

Additions to the list have been made along the bottom. The Walls, Suger and Massingberd family have each provided more than one incumbent.

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

Welton le Marsh St Martin Mabel Eveline Crosthwaite plaque.

A very tender tribute from her husband for the organist, it reads: To the memory of/ MABEL EVELINE CROSTHWAITE/ b. 30th May 1882, d. 7th January 1966/ wife of Joseph Nixon Crosthwaite/ and mother of his three sons./ For over forty years she was organist/ at Welton and |Gunby churches./ O may we soon again renew that song/ And keep in tune with Heav’n till God ere long/ to his celestial consort us unite/ To live with him and sing in endless morn of light.

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

Looking east towards the chancel. A newspaper cutting on display from the reopening of the church in 1892 states :- 

"The work of restoration was in the hands of Mr. Jabez Kime, and great satisfaction is felt at the excellent manner he has fulfilled his contract working in all the improvements in true harmony with the untouched portion. A word of praise is certainly due for the  punctuality with which he has characterized his work. The interior has undergone entire renovation and restoration, the most striking features being the Gothic traceried windows and the flooring. The seats are all open" 

DB 6 July 2022

Looking towards the inner west doorway and gallery above.

DB 6 July 2022

A view across the nave towards the organ.

DB 6 July 2022

A view back from the chancel towards the inner west doorway and gallery above.

DB 6 July 2022

One of two charming brass chandeliers in the nave at Welton.

August 2013

Kelly's Directory 1930 notes "the original 14th century font basin was discovered in a field in 1912, in use as a cattle trough ; it was replaced, mounted on a shaft and base of appropriate design and re-dedicated in 1914"

DB 6 July 2022

Lectern located next to the chancel step.

A newspaper cutting on display from the restoration and re-opening of the church in 1892 states "A very handsome lectern commands admiration and attention, it is certainly a most beautiful specimen of woodwork and has been executed we believe, by Mr Laming, of Spilsby and should be a work he would point to with pride" 

DB 6 July 2022

One of a group of Walls family memorials near the pulpit. 

"TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF MARY ELIZBETH ALICE ELDEST DAUGHTER OF RICHD & ANNIE WALLS OF BOOTHBY HALL WHO DIED JULY 25TH 1877 AGED I9"

DB 6 July 2022

"TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF THE REVD JOSEPH WALLS, M. A. OF BOOTHBY HALL, FOR 39 YEARS PERPETUAL CURATE OF THIS PARISH. DIED JANUARY 1ST 1857, AGED 77 YEARS ...

ALSO OF ELIZABETH, HIS WIFE DIED FEBRUARY 19TH 1857. AGED 74 YEARS. AFTER MANY YEARS OF PATIENT SUFFERING. 

ALSO IN MEMORY OF JOSEPH. THEIR ELDEST SON. DIED NOVR, 22ND 1857. AGED 47 YEARS"

DB 6 July 2022

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF RICHARD GEORGE WALLS M.A. OF BOOTHBY HALL RECTOR OF FIRSBY AND VICAR OF GREAT STEEPING BORN MARCH 17TH 1818 DIED NOVEMBER 5TH 1893 AND OF ANNIE HIS WIFE BORN MAY 14TH 1830 DIED MAY 28TH 1882 THEIR BODIES REST IN THIS CHURCHYARD THIS TABLET WAS PLACED HERE BY THEIR CHILDREN"

In White's Directory 1872 it is reported that "Baroness Willoughby de Eresby is lady of the manor, but a great part of the soil belongs to the Rev. R. G. Walls, M.A., who resides at Boothby Hall, a large and pleasantly situated mansion, and C. L. Massingberd, Esq."

DB 6 July 2022

The maker's plate reads "Williamson & Hyatt 1961 Trunch Norfolk"

DB 6 July 2022

A brass plate attached to the organ reads :- 

"THIS ORGAN HAS COME FROM THE SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM AND HAS BEEN DONATED IN MEMORY OF WILFRED HENRY FOX-ROBINSON PRIEST R.N.V.R. 27-1-1911 2-10-1991.

DB 6 July 2022

Late C18 font just visible behind the pulpit.

DB 6 July 2022

It would seem that the early font having been recovered and returned to use the late 18th century one is now used to support flowers in the south-east corner of the nave.

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

First World War Roll of Honour.

DB 6 July 2022

First World War memorial.

DB 6 July 2022

"3 stage tower, top stages offset, with offset plain parapet and corner lead pinnacles. Semi-circular headed louvred belfry lights"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063626?section=official-list-entry 

DB 6 July 2022

Commandment Boards now displayed in the porch area at the base of the tower.

DB 6 July 2022

"6 panelled inner doors with semi-circular headed panels above in similar arch"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063626?section=official-list-entry 

DB 6 July 2022

"West doorway has semi-circular head with ashlar keystone, pair of planked and slatted outer doors"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063626?section=official-list-entry 

DB 6 July 2022

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

Jean Howard 2 March 2024

"A List And Brief Details Of Chapels In The Spilsby Circuit Past And Present" prepared by  Colin Shepherdson & Keith Guyler 1977 (Revised August 1998) states that :-

i) The Society was formed in 1787 and a chapel built in 1836 It was sold in 1874 following the opening of the new chapel. It is now in use as a cottage and is situated in Beck Lane 250 yards north of the present chapel.

ii) The stonelaying of a second chapel, in Beck Lane, occurred on the 17.4.1873 and the chapel opened on the 31.10.1873. The last service was held on the 20.10.1991 and the chapel put up for sale in 1993 The chapel is still standing disused and for sale" 

DB 6 July 2022

A second view of the chapel from Beck Lane.

DB 6 July 2022

White's Directory 1872 has "Kirkman Soulby, victualler, Wheel"

DB 6 July 2022