Taking place for over a quarter of a century, the West Lindsey Open Churches Festival will again see churches and chapels open their doors free of charge for local residents to discover and explore this May.
It takes place on 13th and 14th May in the west side of the district and on 20th and 21st May in the east side of the district.
These buildings are usually closed except for worship and the festival, with over 87 buildings taking part, represents a museum on your doorstep and church yards as an interesting resource.
Here are some of our local churches taking part and see the full list at www.churchesfestival.info.
Behind the wall – St Mary’s Church, Knaith
Open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May
Have you ever wondered what’s behind the wall on the bends at Knaith on the Gainsborough-to-Lincoln road A156? Now’s your chance to find out!
St Mary’s is located at the bottom of a tree-lined drive where you can park with ease and take a stroll with lovely views of gardens and glimpses of the River Trent to step inside what is known as ‘a little gem of a church’.
Discover stories of its curious and intriguing 12-century history, explore its unique Gothic font and Jacobean pulpit and its unusual altar Baldacchino, and enjoy the simple peace of St Mary’s with a refreshing cuppa and a slice of homemade cake.
St Paul’s Church, Morton
Open 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May
This is a chance to view the ten windows by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, the font of Frostily marble surmounted by a fine oak carved canopy and an Augustus Gern organ built in 1891.
Follow the journey of St Paul – Pilgrim and adventurer. Learn about his life story and his three pilgrimage journeys: the main townships that he visited, his traveling companions, his Conversion, his arrest in Jerusalem, and his final journey to Rome.
Continue your journey around the labyrinth by reading many well-known passages from the letters Paul wrote on his journeys.
Gainsborough United Reformed Church
Open 10.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 13th May and 1.00pm to 4.00pm on Sunday 14th May
Gainsborough URC was built in 1896 as a memorial to John Robinson, known as the ‘pastor’ of the Mayflower Pilgrims. The church’s Mayflower Room contains a fascinating all-age exhibition telling the story of John Robinson and the Pilgrims and the history surrounding the building of the church. A booklet recounting the history of the church is available at a cost of £3.00.
The two-manual pipe organ built by Forster and Andrews is an instrument of national heritage importance.
On Saturday, the church will host bookstalls with local authors Gillian Poucher (author of After the Funeral and A Question of Loyalty), Alice White (author of Reflections From a Narrowboat), Harriet Innes (author of The Chronograph) and Bryony Wood (author of The Sound of Musings). All will be happy to chat about writing and their books.
And as always, tea, coffee and delicious cakes will be available in the café!
St Andrew’s United Church, Kirton in Lindsey
Open 10.00am to 4.30pm on Saturday 13th May and 12.30pm to 4.00pm on Sunday 14th May
As well as displays on the theme ‘King and Kingdom’, there will be materials from Lincolnshire Archives and The Kirton in Lindsey Society archives, tower tours, organ recitals, a ‘Royal’ quiz and children’s trail and craft activities relating to ‘King and Kingdom’. Light refreshments will be served.
Radegund Church, Grayingham
Open 9.30am to 4.30pm on Saturday 13th May and 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sunday 14th May
All school records will be available to commemorate 100 years of its closure. Food served all day on both days, baps filled with local produce, homemade cakes.