Saltfleetby St Peter

Saltfleetby, St Peter

This photo of the west end of St Peter's shows the modest bell-cote of Fowler's church and the Spilsby Sandstone (greenstone) used in the construction.

September 2012

Saltfleetby St Peter, church

Saltfleetby, St Peter

James Fowler built a new church closer to the village in 1877.

He dismantled the old church and built this copy, reusing much of the original.

St Peter's has bell-cote, aisled nave and chancel, and incorporates the Early English arcades of the medieval church.

September 2012

Saltfleetby St Peter, church, James Fowler

Saltfleetby, St Peter

The present St Peter's church was built in 1877 about half a mile south-west of the original site, where the mediaeval tower still stands.

According to Kelly's Directory 1896 "the new church - is an exact reproduction of the previous church, with the exception of the tower and clerestory".

The new building cost £1,831 and its construction was overseen by Louth architect, James Fowler.

It is buttressed at numerous points to secure it against settlement on the marshy ground which defeated its predecessor.

The church is listed Grade II* https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1063060?section=official-listing

Jean Howard, 4 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter,

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Bellcote

The single bell bears the text IN AMORE SCA MARIA (for the love of Saint Mary) around the inscription band; the badge for John Taylor & Co, Loughborough and "RECAST 1908" at the waist.

Jean Howard, 4 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, bellcote, John Taylor, Loughborough

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Boot Scraper

A plain, workmanlike piece, with a shallow lip at each end and secured into the stone with a single central spike. It stands to the right at the south porch door.

Jean Howard, 4 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church boot scraper

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Font

According to Historic England this is a twelfth century plain drum font on a twentieth century base.

Behind the font is a screen which was brought here from Saltfleet St Botolph church, originally a school, when it closed.

The screen was made in memory of John Henry Overton MA DD, scholar, pastor & historian.

It now forms part of the screening for the modern toilet and kitchen, funded by The Millennium Commission with financial assistance from Louth Methodist Circuit.

St Peter's has been used by the local Methodists since Saltfleetby East chapel closed on Good Friday 1996.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter, Font

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Interior Looking East

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Interior Looking West

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Lamp

A former gas lamp has been erected alongside the church path and converted to electricity.

The most likely origin of this attractive (though badly decorated) lamp standard is a local town such as Louth or Mablethorpe when gas lamps were removed and replaced by modern electric street lighting.

Jean Howard, 4 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church lamp

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Memorial (Jaques)

This is a touching memorial from members of the Sunday School and other friends for Norman Jaques who served in 1st/6th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry.

Norman was the eldest son of agricultural labourer, John William Jaques and his wife Betsy nee Leak. He is buried at Warlencourt British Cemetery, Pas de Calais.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Norman Jaques Memorial, Betsy Leak, Warlencourt Cemetery

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Memorial (Oldham)

The Oldham family lived in Saltfleetby House for several generations.

A prospect tower was built in the house grounds by Thomas Oldham in order, it is believed, that he could check his labourers were working in the fields.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter, Thomas Oldham, Monuments

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Memorial (Stones)

The text below this unusual pair of giant keys reads:

HARRY STONES/ CHURCHWARDEN HERE FOR/ 20 YEARS FORGED THESE KEYS/ WE THE PARISH THUS/ COMMEMORATE HIM/ AUGUST 1968

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter, Stones Memorial

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Memorial (Williamson)

This quite substantial monument with segmental pediment and reeded pilasters is worthy of restoration.

The damaged figures at the head were described as weeping angels in 1919, and the text is now almost impossible to read.

It is to John Williamson, Gent, who died in 1722 and his wife Frances nee Gonvill.

It has evidently been brought from the old church and is erected on the east wall of the north aisle.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter, John Williamson, Memorial, Frances Gonvill

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Pulpit

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Pulpit

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Rainwater Hopper

The cast-iron rainwater hopper reveals the date of the construction.

Jean Howard, 4 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Respond

The two arcades end in features that appear to have been brought from the old church.

This one was perhaps produced by an apprentice mason?

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Corbel

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Respond

The two arcades end in features that appear to have been brought from the old church.

Nailhead decorates this feature.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Corbel

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Roll of Honour WW1

Unlike the nearby roll commemorating the dead of the Second World War, this may be solely for those of the parish of Saltfleetby St Peter.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Roll of Honour

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Roll of Honour WW2

A calligraphy roll for the three parishes of Saltfleetby, St Peter, All Saints and St Clements, but displayed at St Peter's, the only church of the three remaining in regular use.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Roll of Honour

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Sanctuary

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Sanctuary Reredos

An ornate and beautifully fashioned nineteenth century piece.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Reredos

Saltfleetby, St Peter, War Memorial

Sheltered by two yew bushes in the churchyard, and at the foot of a flagpole flying the Union flag, is this memorial to those local men who died in the Second World War.

Jean Howard, 4 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter churchyard, war memorial

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Window (Allott)

This window is in the north aisle and is signed by Glenn Carter and dated 2005.

The text reads: 'To celebrate the life of Mary Louise Allott'.

The lady remembered left a substantial bequest to St Peter's church.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Stained Glass, Glenn Carter, May Louise Allott

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Window (Watson)

The east window bears the text:

'To the Glory of God and in memory of William Richards Watson Rector of the Parish 1856-1905 and of Louisa Emma his wife this window was given by their children AD 1910'

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter, Stained Glass, William Richards Watson

Saltfleetby, St Peter, Window Detail

The east window: a delightful representation of the Madonna and Child from the central light.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter, Stained Glass

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church)

The tower of the medieval church stands alone half a mile from Fowler's rebuilt church. The windows in the tower have fine perpendicular tracery.

September 2012

Saltfleetby St Peter, old church

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church)

The buttressed tower of the old church has been stabilised.

One face is built in Spilsby Sandstone and another is Lincolnshire Limestone.

September 2012

Saltfleetby St Peter, old church

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church)

The recent felling of a row of mature trees along the northern side of the tower has permitted a view which clearly illustrates the pattern of settlement of the old church.

The two upper courses of the Spilsby sandstone thirteenth-century work were levelled before the upper stage was added in the same material in the 15th century. This later section also appears to be less than vertical now.

The ragged edges of the western wall of the nave reveal that chalk rubble was used in its construction.

Jean Howard, 3 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter,

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church)

The western, roadside, face of the tower is of better quality building material, limestone, with a handsome four-light Perpendicular window.

This has been re-glazed recently as the prevailing wind and rain were eroding the sandstone inside.

Note how low the western doorway appears to be, showing how much fabric has sunk below ground level.

The tower is listed Grade I https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1165820?section=official-listing

Jean Howard, 3 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter,

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church)

The eastern face of the tower reveals two former roof lines and the height of the tower arch into the nave.

The opening has been bricked up and the locked gate with mesh keeps the tower free of pigeons. The doorway to the tower staircase is also blocked.

Jean Howard, 3 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter,

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church)

This is copied from a framed photograph displayed. The label says it dates from 1870.

It clearly shows two substantial buttresses have been built to support the south wall and another against the western wall of the south aisle.

It is stated that all the material other than the tower was brought to the new site and incorporated into the present church.

Jean Howard, 2 March 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter old church

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church), Headstone (Graves)

Usually hidden amid yew and elder, the winter allows a view of this handsome pillar with sections of the wrought iron railings remaining.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF/ WILLIAM GRAVES/ WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE/ JAN 26TH 1826/ AGED 81 YEARS

ALSO OF/ REBECCA HIS WIFE/ WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE/ MARCH 26TH 1858/ AGED 80 YEARS.

William Graves had 40 acres of land and is listed in poll books as a grazier. Rebecca was 30 years his junior. It would appear they were survived by their only child John who marked his parents' lives handsomely.

Jean Howard, 3 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, headstone, William Graves, Rebecca Graves

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church), Headstone (Paddison)

Directly east of the tower, and leaning slightly to the north, is this Celtic cross marking the burial place of Billy Paddison.

He was a farmer in Saltfleetby St Peter who kept a journal and photograph albums about village life from 1870 until his death.

These were transcribed and edited by Linda Crust as a compelling narrative about the lives of local people.

The copper plaque reads:

"HERE LIES ALL THAT IS MORTAL/ OF MY BELOVED FRIEND/ WILLIAM PADDISON/ 5TH FEB. 1839 - 6TH JUNE 1916/ "I THANK MY GOD UPON ALL MY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU"

Jean Howard, 3 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church, Billy Paddison Headstone

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church), Plaque

The tower of Saltfleetby St Peter's old church is cared for by the Friends of Friendless Churches. (This charity also looks after Sutterby church).

The plaque is mounted on the west face of the tower. It reads:

THIS TOWER BEGUN IN THE 13TH AND/ COMPLETED IN THE 15TH CENTURY IS ALL/ THAT NOW REMAINS ON THE SITE OF THE/ OLD CHURCH OF ST PETER, SALTFLEETBY/ AND IS MAINTAINED BY THE/ FRIENDS OF FRIENDLESS CHURCHES/ 12 EDWARDES SQUARE, LONDON W8 6HG/ PARTS OF THE OLD BUILDING WERE/ INCORPORATED IN THE NEW CHURCH 1877.

More information about the tower is on their website https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/church/old-st-peters-saltfleetby-lincolnshire/

Jean Howard, 3 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter Friends of Friendless Churches

Saltfleetby, St. Peter (Old Church), Plaque (Stubbs)

Saltfleetby continues to bury its departed residents in the old churchyard.

One former resident, Bob Stubbs, so loved this place that he fought hard against plans for its demolition and left money to secure its future.

This plaque is secured on the northern face and reads:

IN MEMORY OF/ MARK ROBERT STUBBS/ B 25 APRIL 1900 D 10 FEBRUARY 1977/ WHO LOVED THIS TOWER AND BY HIS WILL/ PROVIDED FOR ITS MAINTENANCE IN FUTURE YEARS/ HIS MORTAL REMAINS ARE BURIED/ IN THE CHURCHYARD ADJOINING/ HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH/ R. I. P.

Jean Howard, 3 February 2022

Saltfleetby St Peter church. Bob Stubbs, Mark Robert Stubbs