St Guthlac's Church, Market Deeping facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Guthlac's Church |
|
|---|---|
The bell tower from the south
|
|
| 52°40′43″N 0°19′12″W / 52.67861°N 0.32000°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | www.stguthlacs.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Guthlac |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lincoln |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Guthlac's Church in Market Deeping is a special church that belongs to the Church of England. It is located in a town called Market Deeping in Lincolnshire, England. This church is named after Saint Guthlac, an important English saint.
Contents
About St Guthlac's Church
St Guthlac's Church was mostly built in the 1400s, which makes it very old! It is the only Church of England church in Market Deeping. The church is part of the Diocese of Lincoln, which is a large church area managed by a bishop. It also belongs to a smaller local group called the Deanery of Elloe West.
The church works with other local churches in a group called Deepings Churches Together. This group helps different churches in the area work together. St Guthlac's Church is also part of the St Guthlac Fellowship, which connects churches and places linked to Saint Guthlac. As of 2025, the main priest, called the rector, is the Reverend Georgina Holding.
Church Design and Features
St Guthlac's Church has many interesting parts to its design.
Sundials on the Tower
On the outside of the church's bell tower, there are two special clocks called sundials.
- One sundial is on the south side. It is made of limestone and has the words "The day is thine" carved into it.
- The other sundial is on the north side. It has the words "The Night cometh" written on it.
These sundials tell the time using the sun's shadow.
Inside the Church
The main open area of the church is called the nave. It has rows of seats for people.
- The nave is supported by arches on its sides.
- On the south side, the arches are in the Norman style. This means they were built a very long time ago, possibly around the 11th or 12th century.
- On the north side, the arches are in the Gothic style. These were built later, usually between the 12th and 16th centuries.
The Church Organ
The church has a large musical instrument called an organ. This organ was built during the Victorian era, which was in the 1800s. It is a pipe organ with two keyboards, called manuals, that help play different sounds.
Stained Glass Windows
In the part of the church called the chancel, there are beautiful stained glass windows. These windows tell stories from the life of Saint Guthlac. One window shows him sailing through what used to be fens (wet, marshy lands) to start a monastery. This monastery is now known as Croyland Abbey.
