ST ANDREW, CAUNTON
St Andrew, Caunton is a Grade I listed building having achieved the status on 11 August 1961.
The church was originally constructed in 1180 and gradually developed until the 15th Century. The earliest surviving part are the pillars in the north arcade, dating from the 12th Century. The font is simple in construction and dates to the 13th Century. The tower gained height in the 15th Century.
There are 3 bells in the west tower, all dating from the 17th Century. One has the makers mark George Oldfield of Nottingham, dated 1658. The bell has also been stamped GOD SAVE HIS CHURCH.
Caunton's longest serving vicar, and arguably the most famous resident was Reverend Samuel Reynolds Hole. He came to St Andrews as a curate in 1844 as his father was squire of the land, not leaving until 1887 to become the Dean of Rochester. He is still known locally as Dean Hole and is buried in the churchyard following his death in 1904. He was nationally famous as a rose grower and founded the National Rose Show in 1858. The village primary school still carries his name.
The church was extensively restored in 1869 by Ewan Christian, the appointed architect to the Ecclesiastical Commission. Most of the 200 churches restored by Christian are listed buildings, this being one of them.
Each clock on the tower was made by J. B. Joyce of Whitchurch, being erected between 1887-1910.
The church is currently part of the Beck & Trent parishes alongside Cromwell, Norwell, Ossington, Carlton-on-Trent and Sutton-on-Trent.
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