St Mary's is a remote church, but worth a visit. Approached through an avenue of yew hedges, it lies 1.5 miles from its village.

The tower has Norman, Early English and Perpendicular parts; the nave is Early English, the rest of the church Perpendicular and Victorian.

(In 2011, the friendly priest-in-charge hailed from Texas.)

Mark Acton, 2011

Another view of the church from the south-east in winter sunshine.

Frank Skelton, 1970s

Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1909 states :-

"The church of St. Mary, situated one mile and a half from the village, is an edifice of brick and stone in the Early English and Perpendicular styles, consisting of chancel, clerestoried nave, aisles, south porch and a western tower with plain parapet containing 6 bells:

in the year 1875 the south aisle and porch were restored, at a cost of about £600:

in the chancel is an inscribed slab, dated 1732, to Edward Barkham esq. who gave the old reredos, removed in 1881:

in the south aisle is a piscina:

the carved font is adorned with representations of our Lord's Passion :

in 1881 the chancel was restored, at a cost of about £600, when a stained east window was presented by the patron, and in 1892 the nave was new roofed and re-seated, the north aisle rebuilt and organ chamber constructed by the chancel;

there are 350 sittings.

The register dates from the year 1611.

The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £300, with residence, in the gift of the Governors of Bethlehem Hospital"

DB 6 September 2019

White's Directory of Lincolnshire 1856 states :-

"The Church (St. Mary) is an ancient edifice, consisting of a nave with aisles, a chancel, and a tower containing six bells.

It was appropriated to Stixwold priory, in 1378, and is a perpetual curacy, valued in K.B. at £8. 13s. 4d., and now at £200.

The Rev. John Cholmeley is the incumbent.

The communion plate is very massive and handsome, and was presented in 1725, by Mr. Barkham"

DB 6 September 2019

Porch dated 1874 but with C15 interior doorway.

DB 6 September 2019

"3 stage late C12 west tower raised in C15 ...

Pointed west doorway of c.1200 ...

C15 bell stage above with bell openings on all 4 sides ... 

battlements with ornate pinnacles"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1224403  

DB 6 September 2019

The fine wooden lych gate at the entrance to St Mary's.

Frank Skelton, 1970s

The inscription on the lych gate reads :-

"IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLES WILLIAM TINDALL AGENT FOR THE BETHLEM ESTATES & CHURCHWARDEN OF ST. MARY'S 1896 - 1920" 

He is listed as a private resident in Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1909 "Tindall Chas.Wm. J.P. Wainfleet hall"

Owner of "Tug-of-War" a stallion used for breeding purposes - see entry for Eastville farm stock auction.

Local signage near the lych gate states :-

"An impressive survivor of a deserted medieval settlement and lovingly restored in the late 19th century, this church has served this scattered community for about nine hundred years.

The tower with its peal of six bells has a Norman base, heightened in Perpendicular style.

The west door, lancet windows and blank arcading are Early English.

An impressive Rood Screen fills the Chancel Arch.

The Barkham family followed by The Bethlem Hospital were one time patrons and local land owners.

Enter the churchyard by the lych gate and experience its unique peace and tranquillity" 

DB 6 September 2019

"The memorial was unveiled on 29 February 1920.

It was built by the stone mason Mr Henry Charles Wood of Wainfleet and cost £160"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1450436 

DB 6 September 2019

A mill built in the 1820s which ceased to work in 1947 after damage in a gale.

Jon Sass Collection, photograph 1934

The machinery in the mill was dismantled and removed in 1949.

The tower is Grade II listed.

Location of mill: TF 490 582