St Martin's Church, Stamford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Martin's Church, Stamford |
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St Martin's Church, Stamford
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| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | www.stamfordchurches.co.uk/st-martins.shtml |
| History | |
| Dedication | Saint Martin |
| Administration | |
| Parish | St Martin's Without |
| Diocese | Lincoln |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Martin's Church, Stamford is a very old and important church in Stamford, Lincolnshire, England. It's part of the Church of England. This church is so special that it's listed as a Grade I listed building, meaning it's protected because of its history and beauty. The area where the church stands, south of the River Welland, used to be in a different county, Northamptonshire, until 1889. It's often called Stamford Baron or St Martin's.
History of the Church
The first church here was built a long, long time ago, between 1133 and 1147. It was built by Martin de Vecti, who was the head of Peterborough Abbey at the time. He named the church after his own saint, Saint Martin.
People think the church might have been damaged during the Wars of the Roses in 1461. These were a series of wars fought in England. By 1473, the church was in very bad shape. So, they started rebuilding it in 1482 and finished in 1485. The new church was built in the Perpendicular style, which is a type of English Gothic architecture known for its tall, thin windows and detailed stone work.
Much of the beautiful stained glass you see today was brought from another church, the Church of the Holy Trinity at Tattershall, in 1754.
In 1843, the church was changed inside by Edward Browning. New seats and a new pulpit (where the preacher stands) were added. The Cecil Chapel, a special part of the church, was made bigger in 1865. This chapel holds the tombs of the important Cecil family. You can see monuments to famous people like Sir Richard Cecil and William Cecil, the first Lord Burghley.
During the 1800s, the church also got a new roof for the main part of the church (the nave). The floor was lowered, new bells were installed, and a new organ was added in 1890. New choir stalls (seats for the choir) and an altar were put in place in 1894. These were paid for by people in the local area.
Later, in the 1920s and 1930s, a new screen and pulpit were added. These had amazing carvings by Mahomet Thomas Phillips. The church's full name is actually the Church of St Martin Without, Stamford Baron.
Some notable people buried here include the Dutch painter William Wissing (in 1687) and Daniel Lambert (in 1809).
Important Memorials
Many important people are remembered with memorials inside St Martin's Church. These memorials often include tombs or special plaques. Here are some of the people honored:
- Sir Richard Cecil (died 1555)
- William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (died 1598)
- William Wissing (painter) (died 1687)
- John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter (died 1700)
- Brownlow Cecil, 2nd Marquess of Exeter (died 1867) and his wife Isabella Cecil, Marchioness of Exeter (died 1879)
- Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (died 1881)
- William Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Exeter (died 1895) and his wife Georgiana Sophia Pakenham (died 1909)
- David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter (died 1981)
Church Bells
The church tower has a set of 6 bells that can be rung together. All of these bells were made in 1850 by a company called Charles and George Mears. The largest bell, called the tenor bell, weighs about 1505 pounds (which is around 683 kilograms)!
The Organ
Before 1890, the church organ was located in a special balcony at the west end of the church. It had two keyboards and 14 different sounds (stops). The organ you see and hear today was made by Bevington. It was officially used for the first time on May 23, 1890. At the special service, Haydn Keeton, who was the organist at Peterborough Cathedral, played the organ. Later that day, Haydon Hare gave a concert. You can find more details about this organ on the National Pipe Organ Register website.
Organists of St Martin's
Many talented musicians have played the organ at St Martin's Church over the years. Here are some of them:
- John Speechley (until 1833)
- Charles C Noble (1833 – 1836)
- Richard Layton (1836 – around 1876)
- William Jonathan Bettle
- John Clare Billing (1918 – 1927)
- Miss D. Tebbutt (1927 - 1935)
- R. Frost (1935 - 1938)
- Ernest John Charles Warner (1952 – around 1987)
- Graham Johnson
- Harold Harvey
- Gary Seiling
- Fergus Black
