St Marys Church |
| Hob Uid: 324900 | |
Location :
Lincolnshire
West Lindsey
Stow
|
| Grid Ref : SK8819082000 |
| Summary : Secular college founded in the Bishopric of Aelfnoth, circa 975, the earliest fabric in the church, in the tower, probably dating from the Bishopric of Eadnoth (1034-1049). The church was built to a cruciform plan, and except for the addition of the North vestry, retains that plan. Altered in 1090, 1150, 1170, in the 13th and early 15th centuries. The chancel was restored in 1850-2 and the remainder in 1864-7. For a brief period between 1091-1109, Benedictine monks were transferred here, in fact being an abbey from 1091-4, but after their removal, it became the parish church. Excavations in 1983 revealed the porticus of the late Saxon church North of the church, and the nave, which was shorter than its Norman successor. The porticus cut 17 earlier inhumations. |
More information : [SK 88198200] Church. (1)
Stow. Founded after 1005 for secular canons. Dissolved c.1066. Refounded 1091 as a Benedictine Abbey. Dissolved 1094-5. (2)
The arches of the crossing and the two transepts survive from the structure built about the time of the foundation of the minster of secular canons. The restoration of the existing nave has been attributed to the Benedictine foundation, but it was either altered or rebuilt, together with the chancel, in the twelfth century. The tower, above the roofs, is fifteenth century.
[See plan AO:61:213:8.]. (3)
Church of St Mary the Virgin is still in use for public worship. A
description on the notice board dates the earliest masonry and architecture to the 9th century and continues - `The Mother Church of the County, spoken of as a Dowager Minster'. (4)
Additional references. (5-7)
1983 excavation by N Field for NLAU, summary report. (8)
SK 88208201. Site of college and Benedictine abbey, St Mary's Church. Although the church falls within the area of the scheduled college, it is excluded from the scheduling. (9)
Listed (10,11)
Four fragments of mid-10th-early 11th century grave covers have been found in the church during restoration, although only one nwo remains. It is displayed in a cabinet in the nave north aisle and is a Lindsey type. A fragment of mid-10th - mid 11th century gravestone is built into the Romanesque nave north wall exterior. Part of a sundial of circa 1090 was found in a pile of ruble outside the church in 1971, and is in private ownership.
On the first stone above the plinth of the south jamb of the north face of the east crossing arch is a graffito of a ship. It is thought to be post-circa 1050. A second graffito of a ship is on a stone above the plinth of the west face of the south crossing pier, 2 m above the floor. This is also thought to be post circa 1050. (12) |