Church Of St Hugh Of Lincoln

The Church of St Hugh of Lincoln at Quethiock is a parish church of considerable historical importance, with origins tracing back to at least 1259 when records document a rebuilding or enlargement and rededication to Saints Peter and Paul. In 1288, following further rebuilding work, the church was rededicated to St Hugh, and a benefice was ordained in 1346. The building is likely to have evolved from a Norman cruciform church that was substantially rebuilt in the early to mid-14th century, with the base of the tower possibly dating from the late 12th century.

The church is constructed of stone rubble with slate roofs and follows a cruciform plan with a north aisle added circa the 15th century. A shallow north transept projection extends beyond the north aisle. The tall, thin west tower comprises two stages above the broader nave, with an adjoining staircase tower to the south featuring a saddleback roof. The tower is reinforced with short corner buttresses at the north-west and south-west corners and displays a battlemented parapet. The west door is a 4-centred granite arch with moulded jambs and a 19th-century door fitted with ornate strap hinges. Above this is a Decorated 3-light window with tracery beneath a 2-centred arch and hoodmould, followed by a round-headed 1-light window above. A 2-light belfry opening features cusped heads and slate louvers. The parapet coping to the south-west marks the height of the original nave roof, and the original roof line is visible on the east side of the tower.

The north aisle contains five complete Perpendicular granite windows of circa the mid-15th century, each of 3 lights beneath 4-centred arches with hoodmoulds. The shallow north transept projection has corner buttresses and displays a mid-15th-century 3-light Perpendicular granite window beneath a pointed relieving arch, which masks an earlier circa 14th-century 2-centred arched opening. To the east of the transept is a further 2-light window in a rectangular surround. The chancel projects beyond the east end of the north aisle and contains a restored Decorated east window of 3 lights with quatrefoils above in a 2-centred arch. On the south side of the chancel are a probably 19th-century window with Geometric tracery and a 19th-century lancet window with a cusped head. A rood loft projection marks the junction with the south transept.

The east window of the south transept displays 15th-century tracery matching that of the south aisle. A similar window appears in the north transept. Above the south transept is a sundial inscribed "E. Morshead vicar" and made by John Retallick in 1764. To the west of the south porch is a 2-light window with Geometric tracery, cusped heads, and a roundel above. The south porch features a gable end and a moulded 2-centred arch with hoodmould.

The interior retains significant features of architectural interest. The nave has a waggon roof in its original untreated state, with richly moulded ribs of several different patterns, with only one common rib running between them. The chancel roof preserves the simple ribs of the original waggon roof, with later appliqué motifs nailed on. The south transept roof is partly replaced but retains Renaissance motifs including the initials IHS and Tudor knots. The north aisle retains its original roof with moulded ribs, a stone moulded rail, and wall plate. The south porch contains an original waggon roof.

A 4-bay north arcade features Type A piers (in Pevsner's classification) with tall moulded bases, octagonal banded capitals, and 4-centred granite arches. A 2-centred tower arch displays mid-14th-century Decorated recarving to the west window. The south transept contains a mid-14th-century Decorated 2-centred arch with double hollow chamfer. The north transept arch, probably reused and reconstructed, forms a 4-centred arch with moulding similar to the south transept arch.

In the north transept, probably the Trecorne aisle, is a circa 1330s funeral recess with an ogee arch and crocketted finials, comparable to examples in the Church of St Ivo at St Ive. A further undecorated recess occupies the south end of the south transept (the Trehunsey aisle). Piscinas appear to the east of the south door with a cusped head, in the east end of the north aisle with cusped head, and on the east side of the south transept with a 2-centred moulded arch.

A square font of Pentewan stone with chamfered corners and a round bowl on a later octagonal base has been restored. The chancel screen comprises six well-carved panels depicting the crucifixion in relief, created by Reverend W. Willimott circa 1879. The reverend was also responsible for tiling the east wall of the chancel with the Ten Commandments and decorative motifs, with a panel above depicting the Last Supper in paint. A large squint connects the south transept with the chancel and provides access to the rood-loft staircase. A drawing of a proposed 19th-century rood screen exists for the north aisle.

Monuments include one on the north side of the chancel to Obadiah Gossop, Rector of St Tudy, who died in 1659, featuring traces of ancient paint and carved with a relief of a hand from Heaven bearing a sickle. Another commemorates William Stephens, though the date is covered. An altar tomb belongs to Hugh Vashmond, who died in 1599, erected by Hugh Vashmond the younger in 1607, and is well carved with an inscription.

Brasses include one to Roger Kyndgon (1395–1471) on the chancel floor by the pulpit in front of the south transept. It displays effigies of Roger Kyndon and his wife 'Joh'na' with eleven sons and five daughters. Notably, the eldest son Edward is shown in robes with a coronet on his left shoulder, a distinctive detail recorded in documents held in the Tower of London dated 1461 and 1484, which identify him as a Yeoman of the Guard. Similar representations of crown keepers or Yeomen bearing crowns on the left shoulder appear in brasses elsewhere, including James Tornay (1519) in Slapton, Buckinghamshire, and Thomas None (1567) at Shottesbrooke, Berkshire. Another brass commemorates Richard and Isabel Chiverton, engraved in 1631, located on the west wall of the south transept. It shows effigies of Richard and Isabel with eleven children and features family arms impaling those of Polwhele (now removed), inscriptions, and an epitaph.

The floor of the chancel was relaid in 1878–79 with Minton encaustic tiles, while the nave, aisle, and transepts were furnished with Webb's Worcester tiles. The restoration of 1878–79 was carried out under the direction of architect Elliot of Plymouth, with Reverend W. Willimott, rector from 1878 to 1888, responsible for much of the carving, painting, and stained glass.

The stained glass by Reverend William Willimott is vigorous and worthy of note. Early glass has been incorporated into the east window of the south transept. The north windows depict St Cadoc building the Abbey of Llancarvon, preaching in Quethiock by an ancient cross, and the conversion of St Paul on the road to Damascus. The chancel windows show the Ascension, Nativity, Baptism, and a window featuring St Hugh with a tame swan. The south transept (Trehunsey Aisle) contains windows depicting the ride into Jerusalem, the Transfiguration, and the Last Supper. The west window displays the Last Judgement.

The bell tower was restored in 1967. Three bells are inscribed: "John Retallick and Ricardus Bond c.w. 1725 vicar Daniel Baudris"; "Thomas Hancock and John Body c.w. 1765 vicar E. Morshead"; and "John Rogers and Thomas Kelly c.w. 1786 vicar E. Morshead". Parish stocks are located in the south porch. The church stands on an island (lan) in the landscape.