Church Of St Mary

The Church of St Mary is a parish church dating to the 13th century, with significant alterations and rebuilding in the 14th century, 1798, and restorations in 1853 by W. Butterfield and in 1889 by Hodgson Fowler. The church is constructed of ashlar and coursed ironstone rubble, with a slate roof and lead dressings. It comprises a western tower, nave, south porch, a polygonal apse, and a vestry.

The tall, three-stage western tower is built of ironstone rubble and features a low, plain chamfered plinth with two chamfered string courses, weathered battlements, and corner pinnacles. Corner buttresses are present on the first stage only. A small, 13th-century trefoil-headed light is visible on the south side, while the 14th-century belfry openings are two-light, cusped, and reticulated with hood moulds. The west face has a repaired two-light 13th-century window and a small light above, mirroring the south side. An east face clock sits above the belfry opening.

The tall ashlar nave was rebuilt in 1795, following the merging of the two South Kelsey parishes of St. Nicholas and St. Mary. It has a tall plinth and cill string course. Four identical two-light 18th-century Gothic windows with later 19th-century tracery are positioned on the north and south faces, dating from the 1853 restoration. A smaller two-light window is above the north door, also a product of the 1853 restoration. The apse is taller than the nave and contains three 19th-century lancet windows. The 19th-century south porch is topped with a battlemented parapet.

Internally, the nave is plastered and has late 18th-century wainscotting. A triple-chamfered tower arch with polygonal shafts and moulded responds connects to the tower. Above this arch is a Royal Coat of Arms depicting George IV, flanked by two large 19th-century paintings similar to those at Normanby le Wold. Modern pews occupy the nave, but a small oak bench at the east end is of early 18th-century design, featuring panelled backing and 17th-century carved legs. A late 18th-century screen separates the chancel. The sanctuary chair has a highly decorated back and is inscribed "TH 1690." The font consists of a plain round bowl atop an octagonal pillar and plinth.

Two brasses are affixed to the north wall of the apse, depicting a knight with his feet on a lion and a headless lady with her feet on a dog, dating from the early 15th century and relating to the Hansard family. A cross-legged effigy of Sir Robert Hansard, who died in 1313, is situated in a recessed area of the north nave wall. His figure rests on a lion, his hands are in prayer, and traces of original red and yellow paint remain on the chain mail. Records from the Lincoln Archives confirm that the 1798 rebuilding incorporated stone from the demolished Church of St. Nicholas.