ST WILFRID, KELHAM
There is no mention of a church in the Domesday Book, and it is probable that the first church was founded, in the post-Conquest period, as a private chapel to the manor, the site of which now most likely occupied by the present Hall.
St Wilfrid comprises a chancel with south chapel, nave with north and south aisles, north and south porches, and a west tower. The great majority of the fabric appears to date from the C14th and C15th and stylistically it is typical Midlands Perpendicular; the tower is clearly of two phases, late C14th to early C15th, within this period. However, there is archaeological evidence of earlier work (perhaps C13th) notably in the chancel, though most probably elsewhere in the fabric of the nave, now concealed by later work. The parapets are embattled throughout, including the post-medieval sections.
The south chancel chapel dates from the C18th and appears to have been added as a funerary chapel to Lord Robert Sutton Lexington (d1723), and his wife the Lady Lexington (d1703). There is a free-standing monument in marble by William Palmer, dated 1726.
There is a hagioscope between the chancel and the south nave aisle, and a stair to the former rood loft on the north side of the chancel arch remains intact. The fabric retains other complex archaeological evidence relating to the previous form of the building, including blocked musket shot-holes in the north doorway which probably relate to Civil War defence.
The tower contains 3 bells hung in an Elphick ‘Z’ form frame by Robert Lee of Averham dated 1891. The treble is the work of Henry Oldfield II, early C17th; the tenor is by George Oldfield I; the second is by Henry Dand.
The church was restored in 1874 by Charles Hodgson Fowler when the classical arch to the Lexington Chapel was replaced by one of Gothic form.
This church along with the churches at South and North Muskham, and the church at Averham form the Riverside Parishes.
History and Architecture of St Wilfrid, Kelham
Kelham Hall is a C19th baronial mansion built on the site of an earlier manor house, although St Wilfrid is early medieval in foundation it is dominated by the C18th modifications.
The Lexington Chapel is on the south side of the Chancel, which contains an enormous marble monument showing a semi-reclining Robert Sutton, Lord Lexington, and Lady Lexington dated 1703.
St Wilfrid has an interesting history and many links with Charles I; indeed, a superb C17th silver chalice said to have been used by him is currently in the Treasury of St Mary Magdalene in Newark. Marks supposedly made by the muskets of Cromwell’s Roundheads during the Civil War can be seen in the main door of the church.
THE PUZZLE
TO FIND THE 6 MISSING NUMBERS YOU WILL HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. YOU MAY FIND SOME ANSWERS IN THE INFORMATION ABOVE, THROUGH WEB RESEARCH OR LOCAL KNOWLEDGE.
THE CACHE IS TO BE FOUND AT
N 53 05.ABC W 00 50.DEF
A = The church was restored in 187A by Charles Hodgson Fowler
B= There are four churches in the Riverside Parish, B are called St. Wilfrid
C = The tower contains C bells
D = King D I was held prisoner at Kelham Hall. Count the number of letters in his name.
E = There is a free-standing monument in marble by William Palmer, dated 1E26.
F = St F of York was a Saxon missionary in this area during the late C7th. Count the number of letters in his name
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