St Wulfram's Church, Grantham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Wulfram's Church, Grantham |
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Parish Church of St Wulfram, Grantham
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 St Wulfram's Church, Grantham
Location in Lincolnshire
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| 52°54′53″N 0°38′27″W / 52.9148°N 0.6407°W | |
| Location | Grantham, Lincolnshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church/Inclusive catholic |
| Website | stwulframs.org.uk discoverstwulframs.org.uk |
| History | |
| Dedication | Wulfram of Sens |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I listed |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | Seating for 700, room for a further 200 standing |
| Length | 196 feet (60 m) |
| Width | 75 feet (23 m) |
| Spire height | 274 feet (84 metres) |
| Bells | 14 (1676:1946:2000:2012) |
| Tenor bell weight | 32cwt 1qtr 11lbs in C# |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Grantham |
| Deanery | Grantham |
| Archdeaconry | Boston |
| Diocese | Lincoln |
| Province | Canterbury |
St Wulfram's Church, Grantham, is a famous church located in Grantham, Lincolnshire, England. It is a very important historical building, listed as Grade I. This means it's one of the most special buildings in the country.
The church is well-known for its amazing spire, which is the second tallest in Lincolnshire. Only Louth's parish church has a taller one. A writer named Simon Jenkins once said that St Wulfram's has "the finest steeple in England." In 2020, people even voted it the best non-cathedral church in England in an online contest!
The spire of St Wulfram's is about 274 feet (84 metres) tall. This makes it one of the tallest church spires in the whole country. In 2013, people started an appeal to raise money to help protect and save this important spire.
Music at St Wulfram's
St Wulfram's Church has a rich history of music. In 1877, some old church chimes and special figures called "quarter jacks" were fixed and started working again. A new clock and chimes, made by a company called Gillett and Bland, began chiming on February 16, 1877. A famous expert, Sir Edmund Beckett, even checked the new clock and said it was one of the best Gillett and Bland had ever made!
The Church Organ
The church has a very old and beautiful organ. It was first built in 1735 by John Harris and John Byfield. Over the years, it has been rebuilt and improved many times by different builders. In 1906, Norman and Beard worked on it, creating the organ you can hear today. Later, in 1993–94, a fourth keyboard was added.
The organ's wooden case, which is like its outer shell, was designed by Sir Walter Tapper RA and took eight years to finish! The old organ case now sits in another part of the church. This organ is considered one of the best in Lincolnshire.
Organists of the Church
Many talented musicians have played the organ at St Wulfram's over the centuries. Here are some of the people who have served as the church's organist:
- Mr Sweet (1745–1755)
- Andrew Strother (1755–1816)
- Francis Sharp (1808–1832)
- William Dixon (1832–1865)
- George Dixon (1865–1886)
- Richard Thomas Back (1886–1911)
- Frank Radcliffe (1911–1914)
- Edward Brown (1914–1941)
- Stephen John Mundy (1941–1961)
- Philip Joseph Lank (1961–1983)
- Nicholas Kerrison (1984–1988)
- John Ball (1988–1992)
- John Wilkes (1992–1996)
- Ian Major (1996–1997)
- Philip Robinson (1997–2001)
- Michael Sands (2002–2007)
- Tim Williams (2008–present)
Gallery
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The church painted by J. M. W. Turner, around 1797.
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The font, where baptisms take place, with its cover designed by Sir Walter Tapper.
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The Reredos, a decorated screen behind the altar.
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Five hatchments, which are special painted boards used in funerals, on the south wall.
See also
- Bishop of Grantham
