St James' Church, Louth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St James' Church, Louth
St James' Church
The church and its spire
St James' Church, Louth Location in Lincolnshire
53°22′00″N 0°00′29″W / 53.3666°N 0.0080°W / 53.3666; -0.0080
Location	Louth, East Lindsey
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Churchmanship	Broad Church
Website	St James' Church
History
Status	Active
Dedication	James, son of Zebedee
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I listed
Years built	1430–1440 (Church was built), 1515 (Spire was built and completed)
Specifications
Length	182 feet (55 m)
Spire height	287 feet 6 inches (87.63 m)
Administration
Parish	Louth
Deanery	Louthesk
Archdeaconry	Lincoln
Diocese	Lincoln
Province	Canterbury

St James' Church, Louth is an Anglican church in Louth, Lincolnshire, England. It is famous for having one of the tallest church spires in the United Kingdom. In October 1536, the church was where the Lincolnshire Rising began. The vicar, who led the uprising, was later severely punished for his actions.

Exploring the Church's Past

This church is a very old building from the Middle Ages. It has the tallest stone spire of any medieval parish church in Britain. Recent checks show the stone part of the spire is about 87.6 meters (287 feet 6 inches) tall. If you include the weather vane at the very top, it reaches about 89.3 meters (293 feet 1 inch). This makes it one of the most impressive medieval spires in the country.

The church and spire seen from the town centre

The main parts of the church, called the chancel and nave, were rebuilt between 1430 and 1440. Building the tower probably started in the 1440s or 1450s and was finished by 1499. Work on the spire began in 1501 and was completed in 1515. The weathercock was placed on top of the spire on September 13, 1515. This weathercock was made in Lincoln from a large copper basin taken from the Scots after the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

St James' Church is mostly from the 15th century. It is the third church built on this spot, replacing earlier ones from the 11th and 13th centuries. Originally, the church had five smaller chapels and altars. It also had a tall, three-story rood screen, which was a decorative screen separating parts of the church.

In October 1536, people gathered in the church to start the Lincolnshire Rising. This happened because of big changes made by Henry VIII to the church. The uprising was followed by another protest called the Pilgrimage of Grace. Both protests failed. As a result, the king's forces took away many valuable items from the church, including the rood screen.

The tower and spire

The roof of the nave was replaced in 1825. The spire was repaired between 1844 and 1845 by Lewis Nockalls Cottingham. More restoration work happened between 1861 and 1869, led by James Fowler. During this time, the church was cleaned and new oak seats were added. The pulpit was carved by T. W. Wallis. New floors were laid with special tiles, and a new heating system was put in. Stained glass windows were also added. The church reopened on August 5, 1869.

In 1937, the church flew the highest flag in Lincolnshire to celebrate the coronation of George VI. Later that year, the spire was renovated under the guidance of Mr. Goddard, an architect who had also worked on Lincoln Cathedral.

In 2015, researchers found two pieces of a very old stone cross in the Rectory garden. This cross dates back to around 950 AD. It is a "ring" or "wheel head" type of cross, with a design of Christ crucified in the center. This style is more common in Ireland. The Louth Cross is now on display inside the church.

Main tower and spire from the front

In 2017, money was raised to add a viewing door to a small room below the spire. This room holds the original medieval treadwheel. This large wheel was used to lift stones and mortar when the spire was built from 1501 to 1515. Records show how this wheel, known as The Wild Mare, was used. You can find a small book about this rare survival in the church gift shop.

Who the Church is Dedicated To

The church is dedicated to James, son of Zebedee. In the Middle Ages, this saint was very important. Many people went on long journeys, called pilgrimages, to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, which was a major site connected to Saint James.

Church Leaders: Vicars and Rectors

Early Vicars

Later Rectors

In 1859, the role of vicar changed to Rector of Louth. The person holding this job also became a canon of Lincoln Cathedral. Over time, the parish was divided to create new parishes. Since 1974, the Rector of Louth has been the Team Rector for a group of churches in the area.

The Church Bells

The church has eight bells. They were remade in 1726. In 1798, the largest bell cracked when it was rung to celebrate Nelson's victory in the Battle of the Nile. The bells were rehung in 1957, and two of them were remade. They were recently updated and rehung again in 2022.

The Tower Clock

The clock in the tower was put in place in 1846. It was made by Benjamin Vulliamy and was expected to last 200 years. It started working on July 25, 1846.

In August 1901, a new clock replaced it. This one was made by Leonard Hall of Louth. It chimes the Westminster chimes every 15 minutes. The hammer for the hour chime weighs about 26 kilograms (57 pounds). The whole clock weighs about 1 tonne (1 long ton), with extra weights of another 1 tonne hanging on long steel ropes.

The Church Organ

An organ was used during the spire's dedication ceremony in 1515. This organ had been brought from Flanders some years before. When it wore out in 1531, the church records tell a story about how a new one was bought:

That the honest men of this towne of Louthe deshirying to have a good payr of organs, to the laude, prayse and honour of God, and the Hole, Holy Co’pany of heffen, made an assemble together for this purpose on a certayne daye; at which type Mr. Richard Taylor, preste and bachelor of laws, then abydyng w’tin the dyocess of Norwiche being p’sent, herying the good devoute mynds, and vertuouse intent of the said townesmen, wherin he was borne and brought up, offred for to cause them have a payr made of a c’nnyng man in Lyn, that should be exampled by a payre of the same making at Ely, who was called Mr. Blyton, which then had a singular Prayse, for the sum of xxii powndes, whereof he pr’mysed to giff thereto xi powndes: upon whiche promesse they accorded, insomuch that the said Mr. Taylor covennantyd and bargaynyd the organ to be made and brought to this towne, and set upon the north syde in the hihhe quere, on St Barnabe Eve, in the yere of oure Lorde, M.V. xxxj., &c., &c.

A new organ by Gray & Davison was opened on December 17, 1857. This organ was changed in 1868-69. After being rebuilt in 1911, it now has 37 stops and three keyboards, plus pedals.

Pipe organ in St James Church.

Organists of St James' Church

Assistant Organists

• Albert Sharman ca.1905
• Roger Harrison 1999 – 2011

Visiting the Church

St James' Church is part of the Lincolnshire Church Tourism Network. This group helps people visit and learn about churches in Lincolnshire. Like other churches in this network, St James' has people there to help visitors on weekdays until 4:00 PM. The west end of the church now has a tea shop, a book shop, and toilets. You can also find information about other churches in the East Lindsey area here.

Images for kids

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  Side chapel in St James Church.

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  View towards the back of the church.

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  One of two wood carvings of angels in one of the side chapels in the church.

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  Chair on the altar.

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  Stained glass window.

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  Detail of a pew around the altar.

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  Pews around the altar.

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  Stained glass window and altar.

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  Altar and pews.

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  Decorative kneeling cushions.

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  Spire of the church.

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  Main entrance.

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  Exterior and windows.

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  Exterior and spire.

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  Exterior.

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  Interior of the western tower or belfry.

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  Nave and chancel, viewed from the western end of the church.

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  Chancel of the church, viewed over the nave altar.

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  High altar of the church.

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  Altar of St Stephen's Chapel.

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  Plaque commemorating Lincolnshire Rising of 1536, opposite south entrance to church.

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  Pulpit carved by Thomas Wilkinson Wallis

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  Detail of the lectern.