 |
|
||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|||
 |
Lincoln St Mary Magdalene Church 
Located between Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle Saint Mary Magdalene Church is on the corner of Bailgate and Exchequergate in the up-hill historic area of Lincoln. The original parish church was built there in the Saxon period, but that church was buried beneath Lincoln Cathedral when it was constructed by William the Conqueror. Following the cathedral’s consecration in 1092 the dispossessed parishioners were granted the right to hold services in the cathedral’s Morning Chapel which was dedicated to St Mary Magdalene. Around 1280 Bishop Sutton, the Bishop of Lincoln, gave the site of the current building for the construction of a parish church. Fragments of the original medieval building, including one of Lincolnshire’s oldest bells, dating back to around 1350, still remain. This bell, inscribed with "Sacra Maria Magdalene ora pro nobis" (Holy Mary Magdalene pray for us), is still rung before services. Over the centuries the church has undergone several renovation and restoration projects. The current building was rebuilt in 1695 following the damaged sustained during the English Civil War (1642-1651) when the church was subsequently demolished and reconstructed in a simple style typical of the late 17th century. In 1882 work carried out by G F Bodley included the addition of stained-glass windows and other decorative elements and these remains virtually intact today.  The church's architecture offers a unique blend of historical elements and Victorian restoration. The exterior is quite distinctive and combines elements from different periods, showcasing the church's rich history and the various restorations it has undergone. It reflects its historical significance and architectural evolution. The square tower with three stages, featuring a renewed crenelated parapet with remains of gargoyles was added during Bodley’s restoration, and houses a ring of six bells. The tower gives the church a fortified appearance, common in medieval English churches. The east end of the church is adorned with a five-light ogee-headed window, providing an elegant focal point for the facade. The South Side facade features two blocked flat-headed windows from around 1695 and five 19th-century two-light windows with flowing tracery and dripstones, adding to its decorative appeal.  The main entrance on the west side is marked by a doorway with a dripstone and single shafts, characteristic of its late-17th-century rebuilding. Above the doorway is a three-light window with a dripstone.  On entry, located by the door in the nave, is the plain stone baptismal font.  The nave, with its pointed barrel-vaulted wooden ceiling, leads down to the chancel which is separated from the nave by a crafted timber chancel arch produced by Bodley during his renovation.  The nave features a five-bay arcade with fillet moulded quatrefoil piers, double chamfered arches, and dripstones. The north aisle has a panelled dado, sill band, and stencilled panelled ceiling.  The chancel includes a stencilled panelled dado with a frieze, at the east end is a stained-glass window dating from the 19th century. Within the chancel stands the altar, crafted from wood it is designed in a style that complements the church's overall architectural theme. It features intricate carvings and decorative elements and is adorned with religious symbols and motifs that add to its elegance.  At the side of the altar is the pipe organ. This has been replaced, rebuilt, and modified since the first organ was installed in 1864, the last modification being carried out in 1945. Today, St Mary Magdalene is a vibrant community church, offering regular Sunday worship and daily prayers. |
 |
|
 |
|||
All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
| Site Map |