All Saints' Church, Brocklesby

Image: © J.Hannan-Briggs Taken: 23 Oct 2011

Brocklesby Park is the home of the Earls of Yarborough, whose family name is Pelham. They are a branch of the famous family, whose Buckle can be seen in many Sussex churches. This church, built of brown sandstone of the Wolds, stands in the grounds of Brocklesby Park. The exterior is distinguished by a lead covered timber spire. The church as seen today is almost entirely 14th century work and consists of a long and lofty Chancel and Nave, without Aisles, and the Western Tower which is remarkable in that it is built partly within the Nave, the projecting part of the lower stage being open to the West and vaulted. The large North and South porches of brick are 18th century additions. An extensive restoration took place about 100 years ago, when the church was entirely re-roofed and covered with Westmorland slates. In the chancel there are two very fine 17th century monuments to the Pelham family, and there are good balustrade communion rails and an unusual 18th century Eagle lectern, but there are no ancient fittings. At the West end is a very fine Wyatt organ case, which was brought here from the house. The Nave and Chancel are impressive in their height and the arch between them soars without capitals to the roof. The windows are notable for tracery which is flame like and for fragments of old glass and also modern glass. In the East window is a Jesse tree amid shining colour and in the Nave are the figures of the Madonna, St Hugh of Lincoln, Paulinus, St Helen, St Alban and St Botolph of Boston. The church has altar rails with octagonal balusters, a fine chair with a carved, fan shaped back, box pews, a panelled chest and a 19th century coloured and gilded reredos, which shows our Lord and Six Saints. The register is complete from 1538 which was the year when Thomas Cromwell made the keeping of Registers compulsory.

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0