The Benefice of Barlings, Diocese of Lincoln : Parishes of Sudbrooke, Stainton by Langworth, and Barlings with Langworth
St John the Baptist, Stainton by Langworth
Some Notes on the History of St.John the Baptist Stainton by Langworth
Stainton,once spelt Steyington (‘Stone Town’),probably succeeds an early British Settlement. The earliest identified Vicar dates back to 1623,whilst the earliest identified Parish Register is 1720.
Ecclesiastically the parish of Stainton by Langworth including Newball (no church) was incorporated as an independent parish into the Benefice of Barlings in 1918 and the parsonage house sold at that time. In 1978 the parish of Sudbrooke was added to the Benefice,with the incumbent living in Langworth.
The present church stands on the site of former larger building (“of considerable size and dignity”) and dates from 1795,incorporating some c.!4thC materials,and underwent a restoration programme in 1885.
The foundations of the former building are still encountered in the churchyard while digging graves and it is recorded that “like many other churches in the land during the 17thC and 18thC, due in part to the scandal of non-resident Clergy, and continued absence of the owner of the land,the church fell into a sad state of repair and neglect, and about the year 1795, we read that it ‘suddenly fell down.’” In the foundations of the present east wall can be seen the ends of several mullions of the windows of the older church.
The 14thC bell stamped with a cross in the tower was intended to be swung rather than merely tolled,forming part of the little peal existing until 1794,and has the words “Jesus be our spede” (i.e.help) inscribed on it. The original set of bells comprised three bells and a small “saints (Sanctus) bell”. The other bells were broken up or sold as “useless material”.
During the 1795 Restoration,the belfry stage of the tower was never completed,nor were the inscription and date on the rectangular stone tablet inserted in the west wall of the tower. The double chamfered Chancel Arch incorporates reused 14thC engaged octagonal responds,the14thC floriate capitals of which were recut as part of the restoration. The arch of the original Chancel,with marks for the fixing of a Rood Screen,still exists above the current ceiling. The Chancel was shortened to at least one half of its original length, though opinion is divided as to whether this was done in 1795 or at a later date. The late13th or early 14thC triple Sedilia and cusped Piscina,with their elaborate pierced arches,were removed and rebuilt further west in the South wall of the Chancel.
In 1885,a new East window consisting of tinted glass and wooden frame work was inserted,and the c. 14thC octagonal font bowl (with flowers on the underside),which had been buried in the churchyard at the 1795 reconstruction (when a small pillar font was substituted),was restored. The original stem is missing and the 14th or 15thC stone used as a base is part of a churchyard cross - erroneously brought in. The Oak Cover for the Font,with wrought iron-work,was given in 1917 by the Rev. Canon Sutton (of Brant Broughton),who also donated a pair of 18thC brass candlesticks that had been found in a destroyed Belgian church during WWI.
The Pews which at that time faced one half east and the other half west - the pulpit and reading desk being placed in the centre of the nave wall - were re-arranged so that they all faced east, and were re-erected on a wooden instead of a brick floor. The pew doors were removed and the backs of the pews made to slope a little instead of being bolt up-right.
The pulpit was placed under the Chancel Arch and the reading desk,facing west, was placed opposite. The floor of the Chancel was boarded over,the Altar Rails were slightly repositioned and painted blue,while all other woodwork was painted a drab colour with the exception of the ends of the pews which were grained in yellow. The 1868 Harmonium was moved from the Gallery to the Chancel,paraffin lamps suspended from the ceiling for lighting,and a new wooden-framed east window of tinted glass introduced.
By the second decade of the 20thC,when the then Vicar was living in Lincoln,the church had fallen into a serious state of neglect and disrepair,e.g. the Altar had been made into a chest to store the parish records and cleaning materials,and bed linen used for altar linen (offset by an old piece of red baize for a Frontal). On the arrival of the Rev. Edward Hodgson in 1916 the church was again furnished appropriately, including the gift of the carved oak Lectern by family of the late vicar (William Osborne),the provision by the new incumbent of a Sanctuary carpet,brass Cross,and four vases – apart from the font cover and two brass candlesticks mentioned above. The preacher at the first ever celebration of the Patronal Festival here,on June 24th 1916,was the then Archdeacon of Stow,John Wakeford - whose later troubles as Precentor of Lincoln Cathedral are recorded in John Treherne’s 1987 book “Dangerous Precincts”.
In 1934,the wooden floor of the Chancel was taken up,and replaced by a stone,in the course of which the tombstone of the Rev. Wm. Parkes Was discovered and moved to near the Font. A new stone Altar was introduced and the Altar Rails moved westwards to allow the enclosure of the Sedilia within the Sanctuary. The Pulpit was moved from under the Chancel Arch to its present position – thereby giving a clear view of Sanctuary to the congregation. Two new Clergy Stalls were introduced, kneelers placed at the Altar Rails,and the pew seats lowered. Restoration of the fabric was carried out by Mr. Scarborough of Lincoln,while Mr. Stennet of Langworth made the wooden circular louvred tower window to the bell chamber,the ladder to the Belfry,and the chest for the Altar Frontals. Two new churchyard gates were also provided. Other gifts to the church at this time included the Credence table and the early 20th modern art painted Altar Frontal.
In 1948,in memory of Robert Epton,the present stained glass was incorporated into the 1885 East window that depicts Jesus with children and two side panels - one of St. John the Baptist and the church itself,and the other of St.Hugh and Lincoln Cathedral.
In 1952,concrete replaced asphalt for the church path and the roof tiles were removed to felt the roof. In 1954 electricity was installed to replace the old oil lighting,the old coke stove was taken out replaced by electric fires. In 1961 an electric organ was installed for the first time.
Other notable features include
The panel fronted gallery supported on square Doric columns at the west end dating from around the 18thC.
The fluted legs of the stone altar
The Ten Commandments panels on the Chancel walls.
In the sanctuary,a 1994 replacement for a 17thC chair with carved back and arms (the gift of vicar E.E. Hodgson during WWI) which was stolen.
The 1619 alabaster memorial to members of the Sanderson family on the north wall
The three War Memorials on the walls.
Incumbents & Curates of Stainton by Langworth
include
Incumbents |
Curates |
Dates |
|
|
|
Andrew Harrington |
|
1623 |
Robert Pridgeon Hurton |
|
1768 |
George Bassett |
|
1794 |
Cayley Illingworth D.D. |
|
1796 - 1823 |
|
Robert Neesham |
1813 - 1823 |
George Rolleston |
|
1823 |
|
George Ellis |
1824 - 1860 |
|
Richard Garvey |
1861 - 1868 |
R. Parkes Dickin |
|
1870 |
William Henry Osborne |
|
1873 - 1915 |
Edward Ernest Hodgson |
|
1916 - 1918 |
Arthur C.P. Burles |
|
1918 - 1927 |
Curates were here when Vicar was non-resident
Robert Neesham later became vicar of Stainfield,Goltho,and Barlings
George Ellis became Rector of Snelland
Richard Garvey was “also at Snelland”
George Rolleston,was also Vicar of Stainton (Yorkshire)and Domestic Chaplain to Lord Scarbrough Edward Hodgson was later vicar of Stainfield
From 1918,with Arthur Burles (who held the benefice in plurality with
the Perpetual Curacy of Barlings),Vicars of Barlings became also the
Vicar of Stainton by Langworth
Cayley Illingworth also became Rector of Scampton,Vicar of Barrow on
Humber,Vicar of Glentworth,and Archdeacon of Stow
Colvin Graham |
1927 -1934 |
Francis Kerr Thompson |
1934 - 1939 |
James Capron |
1940 - 1944 |
Frank W. Hickling |
1944 - 1949 |
R. Dalton |
1950 - 1952 |
William Harrison |
1952 - 1957 |
S. Robert Bolton |
1958 - 1959 |
James Septimus Capron |
1959 - 1961 |
Keith Entwhistle |
1962 - 1965 |
Geoff Hardy |
1965 - 1977 |
Kenneth Jardin |
1978 - 1983 |
Raymond Gibson |
1984 – 1988 |
Robert George Spaight |
1989 - |
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
DEPOSITED WITH THE COUNTY ARCHIVIST IN LINCOLN
In addition to the historical books and documents kept in the Parish, the following are amongst the records deposited :-
Baptism Registers |
1720 - 1782 |
1783 - 1812 |
1813 -1996 |
Burial Registers |
1720 - 1782 |
1783 - 1812 |
1813 -1998 |
Marriage Registers |
1720 - 1754 |
1754 - 1812 |
1813 -1837 |
Receipt of a Marriage Register for 1837 - 1979 was acknowledged by the
Superintendent Registrar in 1979.
