Church Micro 2559…Colsterworth
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In this period 19th Century, the church heating was from a large cast iron stove where the fireplace
had been. It is likely a second stove was installed in the Newton Chapel, as it was at that time, which
stood close to where the present access door to vestry is. The font, originally constructed in the
Norman period, perhaps late 12th Century, still has its original shaft or pedestal. The bowl, however
appears to have had a chequered history. The one made with the pedestal was broken, perhaps at the
time of the 1703 Great Storm when, it is believed, the spire came through the Nave roof. According to
Revd John Mirehouse it was replaced by a bowl of the Decorated period. This was some four
centuries earlier? It could well be that the replacement bowl came from another church and the
refurbished font was then placed near the new fireplace, where the pulpit now stands, the rood loft
having been removed as described earlier. Mirehouse account states that this bowl became cracked
due to the heat from a cast iron stove and disintegrated on removal to the present site near the Tower.
He then had a third bowl carved to replicate the original Norman font, which is the one in use today. He
decided to rebuild the Chancel in the style of the one demolished by Dodwell, built around 1500 as a
memorial to Sir Isaac Newton. He accomplished this by raising funds from many sources. The kudos
accorded to Newton in the late 19th Century is apparent in the number of donations from all over the
country. Revd John Mirehouse was able to raise the new Chancel in 1876, finding enough original reused
stones in the rough building he had demolished, to be able to re-create the east window. This
appears to be in the Tudor style. Lancet windows were chosen for the new south wall.
The Turnor family, Newton descendents, who contributed to the Chancel, also had the Newton
chantry rebuilt. The north windows of the chantry are copies of the earlier perpendicular style and new
tracery was installed in the similar window in the north aisle.
The east chantry window is likely to be the north aisle east window re-used. The new arch between
the north aisle and the chantry was built at this time. The present screen and access was added in mid
20th Century.
During this rebuilding, new lead roofs were laid on the Nave and north and south aisles. New paving,
pews and a pulpit were installed.
So we have the church building largely as it stands today. There is much of interest to be seen in the
windows, furniture and decoration as described on the following pages.
The Embellishments and Artifacts
The beautiful stained glass in the Chancel east window was executed by Messrs. Bell of Bristol. The
four lights depict scenes from the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The angels above hold the
instruments of torture, a sponge on a reed, the garments for which lots were cast, a spear that pierced
the side of Our Lord, three nails, a scourge and a crown of thorns. At the foot of the lights are four
angels holding texts.
The window was given in memory of Revd William Mirehouse by his widow. The four windows in the
south wall of the Chancel depict scenes from the life of John the Baptist and were given in memory of
Revd William Mirehouse by his son the Revd John Mirehouse. He also donated the communion table
or altar in memory of his mother and the carved oak screen between Chancel and Vestry
commemorates his grandparents.
The reredos behind the altar splendidly complements the east window and portrays the scene of the
Last Supper. It was made in mosaic by Messrs. Powell of Blackfriars, London. St Peter and St Paul
stand on either side and the glowing colours and the skill of the artist draws all eyes in admiration. Mrs
Bigge of Torquay commissioned this magnificent work in memory of her mother Mrs Ord, widow of the
Revd Thomas Ord of Galby. The stained glass of the window in the tower room was also given in her
memory by her many friends in Colsterworth. She was the superintendent of the Sunday School for
many years and the apt subject of the window is "Suffer the little children to come into me."
The Credence Table to the south of the altar was given in memory of the crew of a Lancaster bomber
DV226, lost over Germany in 1943 and the Bishop's chair to the north of the altar was given by grateful
parishioners in memory of Canon Mahon, Rector here from 1911 to 1939.
The menorah seven-branched candlestick, being a copy of one in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem, was
given by the Revd John Mirehouse to improve the Chancel illumination in the 19th. Century. This was
rescued from the rectory garage by the churchwarden Sqn Ldr A W Adams who, with his wife also
saved many parish records, which are now housed in the Lincoln Archives. Their industry also cleared
a backlog of debris from the tower and restored some order to the church.
The church services are still enhanced by the two manual pipe organ installed in 1897 and given by
the then organist Mrs Edith Heaven, wife of Dr Heaven. A plate on the side of the organ
commemorates the event and a plaque on the south wall of the Chancel records her services as
organist. A large bronze plaque above celebrates the reconstruction of the Chancel in honour of Sir
Isaac Newton. A translation of the Latin inscription hangs nearby
Behind the organ is a sundial carved by the young Isaac Newton at Woolsthorpe Manor. It was built
into the wall at the time of the chapel's reconstruction and a bust of Newton was carved into the corbel
above it. This work was carried out by the Turnor family.
At the east end of the south aisle is the Lady Chapel. The altar was given by the Modd family in
memory of William Modd and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Close by in the south wall the window has
the stained glass showing the story of the Good Samaritan. This was given in memory of Elizabeth
Beeson.
The north aisle has two decorated windows at the western end and illustrate the sadness brought
about by war. The three light window facing west was given by Mrs Bland in memory of her husband
Captain Charles Bland who was killed in action on April 23rd 1915 soon after his daughter was born.
The three lights depict the patron saints of England - St George; Scotland St Andrew and France St
Denis. Close by on the north wall is the window in memory of Mrs. Bland who remained a widow until
her death in 1956. The two lights show St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland and St Hugh of Lincoln.
Along the north wall is a representation of the church in painted clay tiles executed by Colsterworth
School pupils. This was to commemorate Mr. Philip Isaac, headmaster 1953 to 1978, and a lay
preacher at this church for many years.
At the east end of the north aisle is a collection of Sir Isaac Newton memorabilia. Born at Woolsthorpe
Manor on Christmas Day 1642 he was baptised here on January 1st 1643. The black alabaster bust of
him is a copy of one by Roubiliac 1751.
The arch between the north aisle and the vestry or Newton Chapel, was erected at the same time as
the rebuilding of the Chancel, 1876. The oak screen was inserted into the opening around 1950 and
was dedicated to Mr Frederick Ball, his wife Elizabeth, also Robert and Caroline Doubleday, their son
having married a daughter of Mr and Mrs Ball. Mr Ball was headmaster at Colsterworth School for 35
years from 1889.
The tower clock was installed by public subscription in 1854 by Messrs William Thomas of Lincoln.
Due to the efforts of Sqn Ldr Douglas Campion and others the clock still keeps good time, though
weekly winding is required. It is hoped to restore the clock to its former glory with new, rectangular
faces as depicted on 1905 photographs, and the chiming mechanism to record the hours once again.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
FI 25