Page:A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.djvu/76

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CHAPTER IV.

THE CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY

WAS built in the years 1847 and 1848, as a Chapel of Ease to St. Mary's Church, in the vicariate of the Rev. T. J. Clarke, at a cost of about £2,500; £500 having been bequeathed towards that purpose by his predecessor, Dr. Clement Madely, and the rest being raised by public subscriptions. The foundation stone was laid April 6, in the former year, by Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., the Queen's Champion. The roof of the nave was reared Oct. 12, and the cross on the east end of the chancel erected Nov. 25, in the same year. The church and churchyard were consecrated by Dr. Kaye, Bishop of Lincoln, April 27, 1848; his Lordship preaching at the opening service in the morning, and Dr. Percy, Bishop of Carlisle (as Patron[1] of the Benefice) in the afternoon. The architect was Mr. Stephen Lewin, of Boston (author of Churches of the Division of Holland, 1843, &c.) Mr. Hind, of Sleaford, being the contractor for the work.

It was a condition of Dr. Madely's bequest that the church should be commenced within two years of his death, which occurred on Good Friday, March 21, 1845. This fortunately was just (but only just) effected[2] in time to secure the bequest.

When the churchyard of Holy Trinity was consecrated that of St. Mary's was closed, with the exception of some private vaults; both these burial grounds being closed in 1888, when the public cemetery was opened; the


  1. The patronage and manorial rights (as already stated) were transferred to the Bishop of Lincoln, on the death of the Bishop of Carlisle in 1856.
  2. We may add that Dr. Madely also left a bequest of £50 towards a much needed church at Woodhall Spa; where through the energy of the Rev. E. Walter, Vicar of the parent parish of Woodhall St. Margaret, and Rector of Langton, the Church of St. Andrew was built before that of Holy Trinity, Horncastle, the foundation stone being laid by Sir H. Dymoke, April 2, 1846, and the consecration by Bishop Kaye taking place Sep. 14, 1847; the architect in this case also being Mr. Stephen Lewin, of Boston, a vicarage being built at the same time.