Description:
The following extract is taken from a newspaper article: 'The nave and chancel of this fine cruciform church contain 11th and 12th century work. In the 12th century the Eastern arm was extended, and the present central tower and spire added. In the reign of Edward III it belonged to the Priory of St Cuthbert at Durham, and in all probability the monastic buildings adjoining, traces of which can be seen, were then erected. The small plans in the corners of the view, the original drawing exhibited in last year's Royal Academy, show the arrangement of the interior before and after restoration. The nave was walled off from the chancel at the Western arch of the tower, a small door being the only communication between them. The South transept was also walled off and used as a Sunday-School. The North transept has ceased to exist, and the tower arch on this side blocked up. Owing to the great length of the chancel, and the crossing of the tower dividing it yet further from the nave, a new altar has been placed some 26ft further West, so as to bring the sacrarium, choir and nave into closer accord. The Eastern part of the chancel is to be used for weekday services, and for a Sunday-school for the older classes. The old altar slab, dug up during the work, has been refixed, and in the centre of the East wall, immediately behind it, some interesting tabernacles have been opened out. The tower was in a very bad state, and has neccessitated underpinning and new foundations on the North side, and the upper part has been brought together with iron rods at three levels, and the whole with the spire repaired and pointed in cement. Mr Henry Clipsham of Norwell, near Newark, has been the general contractor, including the oak stalls and fittings. Messrs. Messenger, of Loughborough, have supplied the heating apparatus. The work has been carried out from the plans, and under the superintendence of Mr W S Weatherley, of 20 Cockspur Street, London, no clerk of the works being employed.'