The church of All Saints in Orby is a typical greenstone marshland building of the Perpendicular period, though an Early English lancet survives in the north wall of the nave and there is a Decorated window in the chancel, rebuilt in 1888.

The interior is glossy white and distinctly "High" Anglican.

Mark Acton, August 2013

Orby All Saints from east.

The eastern wall shows substantial repair in brick below the window.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints from NE.

The north wall of the nave has a doorway, a 13th century lancet window and a three-light traceried 16th century window. The area in the foreground is used as a carpark bounded by tape to prevent driving into a very wet area of the churchyard.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints from south.

This view shows the six clerestorey windows and the early 17th century red brick porch. The church is listed Grade II*:

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1280972?section=official-list-entry 

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints from SE.

The chancel was rebult in 1888 but re-used a 14th century two-light window. This view also shows the weathervane on the northeastern pinnacle of the tower.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

This photograph appears to show that the buttress on the south face of the south-eastern corner of the tower has fallen away along with the parapet and corner pinnacle; and the tower has been braced to prevent further falls of masonry. It may be that this is the wartime damage referred to in a leaflet in church. The re-built buttress is wholly brick.

Jean Howard

The church was built in 1297 by one of the priors of the Augustinian house of Thornholme, on the west bank of the river Ancholme, to which it was appropriated.

The Victorian vicarage was built conveniently close to the church on the northern edge of the churchyard.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

General view of the rebuilt chancel (1888).

August 2013

Orby All Saints sanctuary.

The purple altar frontal reveals that the visit was made during Lent and the six candlesticks that the worship is ‘high church’.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

The pointed chancel arch has been fitted with a glazed screen, the lower portion of which folds away to each side. A shadow in the plaster above seems to indicate that the arch was once higher and wider.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

A rather dark design by an unknown artist showing the symbol of the Paschal lamb in the tracery and Christ holding a chalice in the right hand light. The text below reads:

TO.THE.GLORY.OF.GOD AND.IN.LOVING.MEMORY/ OF.JOHN BRIDGER OF.THIS.PARISH/ BORN.JUNE.23RD 1847 DIED JANUARY 8TH 1902

John Bridger was by trade a wood dealer but best known as an amateur vocalist and musician playing violin, piano and organ. He installed an organ in Orby church, maintained it at his own expense and played it come rain or shine for 24 years.* He was chairman of the parish council, a founder member of the school board and a most supportive and respected member of the community.

* The Historic England listing for Orby All Saints includes the following: ‘Handsome organ of 1830 by Parsons of London in veneered walnut case.’ Was this the gift of John Bridger? It is believed that the last pipe organ was destroyed by woodworm.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

The reredos incorporates a very attractive mosaic design of the Annunciation in Pre-Raphaelite style, the figures of Mary and Gabriel in white and cream against a blue background with intertwining red roses.

A small plaque reads: To the Glory of God and in memory of/ FANNY BRIDGER of this Parish/ Born 8th Sept 1842 Died 25th Aug 1915.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

A single, simple, recessed seat and angled piscina.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Evidence at the base of a pillar of an earlier gas supply.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

A brass plaque that reads: IN MEMORY OF/ FREDERIC NORMAN DAVISON,/ OF THE 2ND 4TH LINCOLNSHIRES,/ WHO DIED OF WOUNDS IN FRANCE,/ ON DEC. 8TH 1917./ FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH./ Erected by the Parishioners of Orby, November 1919.

See: https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/59743 

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

A brass plaque that reads:

CHARLES.SIDNEY.JOHNSON/ CHEERFULLY.GAVE.HIS.STRENGTH.FOR.HIS/ COUNTRY.IN.THE.GREAT.WAR; PATIENTLY./ ENDURED.HIS.LONG.WEAKNESS, AND/ DEPARTED.THIS.LIFE.ON.THE.27TH OCTOBER/ 1923.AGED.25.YEARS./ R.I.P

See: https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/59740 

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints looking east.

This shows three altars in use; in the chancel, nave and south aisle. The chancel was restored by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1888.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints looking west.

Another glazed screen has been built across the 16th century tower arch.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints looking east.

A photo of unknown date but without a nave altar.

Jean Howard

A pointed doorway with moulded hood and a re-set keystone depicting a human head.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Pulpit to the south of the chancel arch.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

A kingpost roof with perhaps evidence on the rafters that there was once a boarded surface?

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

The Royal Arms in All Saints, Orby, were painted by J. Burnitt in 1781 and show the Arms of 1714-1801 with "G. R. 3" [George III] above.

Mark Acton, August 2013

Orby All Saints roll of priests and patrons.

A list of the vicars from Geoffrey of Ferriby in 1209 to Terry Steele who was appointed in 1995 and retired from this group of parishes in 2022, moved to Louth and came out of retirement to take the role of Rural Dean of Loutheske. Terry has featured in a book about priests who are accompanied to church by their canine companion: Barney the Beagle is presently occasionally snoring during his master’s sermons!

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints roll of honour.

See: https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/54040 

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/264084/

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby All Saints south aisle historic photos.

The view looking west shows the font in the same position as at present but the roof propped up. The view to the east reveals the absence of pews.

Jean Howard

Side altar with riddel curtains marching the blue altar frontal with appliqué madonna lilies. Two statue brackets can just be seen above.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

A very plain Perpendicular octagonal font, with cusped and shielded panels to the bowl, some cusped and some plain panels to the stem.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

This rainwater head on the south aisle bears the date of the restoration work of 1888 when the chancel was rebuilt.

August 2013

‘16th century aisle roof with moulded principals, chamfered commons and bold roll moulding at the junctions.’ Quoted from Historic England’s listing details

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

The tower of All Saints church is of greenstone, with red brick patching and rebuilt buttresses.

August 2013

Some motifs decorate the west window of the tower. This window is referred to as stained in Kelly’s Directory of 1849.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Directories first mention the Red Lion in 1849 when it was run by William Rhoades. It has had numerous landlords; those traced include: Robert Bush 1852; Richard Betts 1861/3; William Wildman 1870; Newton Anderson 1872; James Croft 1876; John S Croft 1882; Mrs Mary Croft 1892/6; Richard D Wilson 1905-1928; Jack Harlow 1937.

It seems that the Red Lion wasn’t always the only pub: in 1842 the Three Tuns was operated by Wright Butler; the King’s Head was run by William Soulby in 1922 and by Albert P Thompson in 1937.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby old school.

The school opened as a National School in 1837. Rebuilt in 1874 it closed three years later, re-opening as Orby Board School on 27 June 1878. It was closed in 1981 and the building is now in commercial use.

Head teachers have included: Joseph Veal 1842; Ann Calvert 1856; Miss Julia Livett 1861/3; Miss Jane Needle 1868; Mrs Ellen Sayles 1872; Anthony Veall 1876; John Orchard 1896; Miss E Falkinder 1905; Miss A Luesley 1913/19; Mrs Alice Kidd 1922/4.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby old school bell.

The bell in its housing still hangs on the western gable of the building.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby school class 1935.

Photograph copied from a file in All Saints church.

Jean Howard

Orby old school datestone.

NATIONAL SCHOOL BUILT 1836/ REBUILT 1874 Despite this assertion archival documents show the school to have opened as a National School in 1837. Rebuilt in 1874 it closed three years later. A School Board was established on 9 April 1878 and the school re-opened as Orby Board School on 27 June 1878. It was closed in 1981 and the building is now in commercial use.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby old vicarage.

According to Pevsner the vicarage was designed by James Fowler and is ‘probably of 1870’. However, White’s 1892 Directory reads: A new Parsonage House erected 1868/9 at a cost of £1400.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

No historic information has been traced on the village hall.

Jean Howard 24 February 2024

Orby Wesleyan Methodist chapel.

This was built in 1924 at a cost of £1400 to seat 150, replacing an earlier building further east. It was closed in 1998 and has been converted into a house. Further photographs at:

https://heritage-explorer.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Monument/MLI99055 

Jean Howard 24 February 2024