Nonconformist Chapels in South

Summary

A survey of nonconformist chapels in South Kesteven was carried out from May to August 2013. The initial stage of this survey comprised a desk‐based assessment of documentary sources pertaining to nonconformist chapels, such as Ordnance Survey maps, censuses, secondary sources and other modern surveys of surviving nonconformist chapels. Using these sources it was possible to establish which chapels were still extant and which were not. The extant chapels were then visited and their construction materials, architectural features and present condition were assessed and recorded on a standardised form. This information was then collated in a database.

The overwhelming majority of the chapels (75%) were used by various Methodist groups. Of these groups the Wesleyan Methodists are the most widespread, with 29 chapels. Other Methodist groups built 12 of the surviving chapels, with the remaining 14 buildings having being built by Baptists and other Dissenting groups.

The survey identified 102 chapelsn having bee built in South Kesteven between the late‐18th century and the early‐20th century. Of these chapels 55 survive. 20 (36%) of the surviving chapels are still in use as places of worship, whereas 22 (40%) have been converted for residential use. Of the rest of the buildings only 4 (7%) are disused and the rest are engaged in a variety of commercial and public functions.

Most of the surviving chapels are constructed from brick, and three‐quarters have gabled roofs. There 18 stone‐built chapels in the district, more than in any other district in the county. Slate roof coverings are common, as are stone and gault‐brick dressings. Raised gables and dentil courses are two of the most widespread decorative features.

Building styles are largely plain and vernacular until the mid‐19th century, when decoration and architect‐designed chapels become more and more common, beginning with a number of Italianate‐ and Classically‐influenced designs before a fashion for Gothic chapels became established in the late‐19th and early‐20th centuries.

Introduction

This survey was carried out as part of a continuing effort to record and evaluate the levels of preservation and the respective conditions of nonconformist places of worship in the county of . As has been emphasised in the reports derived from the previous surveys, understanding nonconformist groups and their places of worship is important to understanding the religious and social history of the county as a whole as they are a key part of the historic environment of its landscape, settlements and communities.

South Kesteven District lies in the south‐west corner of Lincolnshire, bordering on the other districts of South Holland and , as well as , Cambridgeshire, and . The major towns of the district are , Stamford and Bourne.

The district, like all in the county, is predominantly rural. Geologically it is made up mainly from various clay deposits, forming low plains. Its defining feature is the Lincolnshire limestone belt, forming an upland which runs north‐to‐south through the district, bisecting it and the clay plains. To the south‐east it borders on the fens, which extend into the district in the area around Bourne. Parish size is relatively uniform except for the fenland area, where the parishes become elongated in a style characteristic of those in neighbouring South Holland, or along the Witham Valley. The economy is largely based on agriculture.

The growth of nonconformity was always dependent on landlord control and the level of autonomy of an individual settlement. Landlord control was greater – although hardly ubiquitous ‐ in South Kesteven than in the east of the county and as a result we find fewer nonconformist places of worship in the district. Moreover the slightly denser population and more compact nature of the district helped make it more affluent than the eastern districts. Both of these factors influenced the relative lack of success that Methodists had in South Kesteven, particularly for the Free and Primitive Methodists, both of which thrived in the poorer, less rigorously controlled parishes of the fens and marshes. By contrast other Dissenting groups, often due to the actions of a wealthy urban benefactor, managed to gain a foothold in the towns.

Methodology

A survey of nonconformist chapels in South Kesteven was carried out from May to September 2013. The initial stage of this survey comprised a desk‐based assessment of documentary sources pertaining to nonconformist chapels, such as Ordnance Survey maps, censuses, secondary sources and other modern surveys of surviving nonconformist chapels. Using these sources it was possible to establish which chapels were still extant and which were not. The extant chapels were then visited and their construction materials, architectural features and present condition were assessed and recorded on a standardised form. The presence of associated buildings or features (such as Sunday schools and burial grounds) was also recorded. This information was then collated in a database. In addition to the form‐based survey, the creation of a photographic record of the exterior features of every building visited was also undertaken.

The data was then input into the Historic Buildings, Sites and Monuments Record (HBSMR). Buildings that, in the desk‐based part of the survey, were identified as no longer being extant were also recorded and inputted into HBSMR. Any chapels that were demolished to make way for a new chapel on the same site were included in the record for the succeeding chapel.

There were 102 chapels identified from the OS County Series Maps, dating from 1887 to 1937. Of these buildings 12 were identified from the 1887‐91 maps, 51 from the 1905‐7 maps, and 18 from the 1930s maps. Other sources revealed the existence of a further 21 chapels that either fell out of usage as a chapel, or had not yet been built at the times that the Ordnance Survey maps were being produced. Of the 102 total nonconformist chapels that are known to have existed in South Kesteven at one time or another 55 (54%) are still extant.

This report is formatted in a similar way to the previous reports to facilitate comparison of data.

Denomination

Dissenting Groups By the time of the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 there were a number of established nonconformist places of worship (or ministers) in South Kesteven, six of them Baptist and eight of them Presbyterian (Ambler, 2000, p.27, Fig. 2). Five of these licenses (three Presbyterian, two Baptist) were for the town of Stamford, indicating that it was an early stronghold for nonconformists. The rest of the licenses are spread across the district, with the Baptists' more concentrated in the south. There was no nonconformist presence in Bourne or Grantham at this time, although two Presbyterian congregations are located just outside of Grantham, perhaps indicating a difficulty in establishing a nonconformist place of worship in the town. The presence of eight Presbyterian places of worship is interesting in itself as during the survey there was no evidence found for the existence of any Presbyterian chapels. Indeed by the 18th century the number of Presbyterian congregations in South Kesteven had declined to four (Ambler, 2000, p.87, Fig. 13).

The Quakers were never strong in South Kesteven: there are only records of eight meeting places in the district, and no Quaker Meeting Houses were found during the survey, although at least two survived into the 18th century (Ambler, 2000, p.31, Fig. 5; p.87, Fig. 13). The Congregationalists were stronger, with the presence of five extant chapels and a further non‐extant chapel discovered during the survey. Indeed, by the 1850s only Baptist, Calvinist and Congregational churches were present in the district (Ambler, 2000, p.88, Fig.14).

In the long term it was to be the various Baptist denominations that fared best. There were 13 Baptist chapels found during the survey, and eight of them survive. As mentioned, Baptists seemed to be strongest in the south of the district (the most northerly Baptist Member was in the parish of ), and there were at least 66 Baptist Members in the late‐17th century (Ambler, 2000, p.22, Fig. 3). Bourne seems to have been the centre of Baptism in the district: Baptist Members from Bourne are known to have signed petitions during this period, and Bourne was part of a South Lincolnshire Baptist connexion which included Spalding. By the 1850s the only Dissenter churches in the district seem to have been Baptist, Calvinist and Congregationalist

There are a few other nonconformist groups represented in South Kesteven, although none are present in any great numbers. The oldest chapel in the district (along with a semi‐ruined Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Dyke) is a Calvinist chapel in Grantham, dating from 1792 (Fig. 3; survey number 37448). There was another Calvinist chapel at (survey number 39327), but it has been demolished. There was also a Mormon chapel in Stamford, one of only five that ever existed in the county in this period (Ambler in Bennett, 2001, p.74‐5), and a Salvation Army Citadel survives in Grantham (Fig. 4; survey number 38924).

Methodism

As with the other districts in the county it was Methodism that would prove to be the strongest and longest‐lasting nonconformist group. Initially it developed slowly in comparison to West and , with fewer than 100 Methodists being recorded in the district between 1788 and 1792, but by the 1850s the number of Methodist places of worship was approaching 50, along with a number of hired rooms and houses (Ambler, 2000, p.137, Fig 21; p. 140 Fig. 23). Indeed, in 1860 eight percent of Lincolnshire's population belonged to one Methodist group or another, and up until that date the number of Methodists had been growing faster than the county's population (Ambler, 2000, p.133). Of the surviving chapels in South Kesteven 75% are of Methodist origin. This is considerably lower than East Lindsey's 92%, North Kesteven's 89% and 's 87%, and somewhat more than Boston Borough's 53% and South Holland's 65%, but matches the overall trend of Methodist domination of nonconformist worship in the county.

The earliest Methodist chapel in the county is the now‐disused Wesleyan chapel at Dyke near Bourne (Fig. 11; survey number 39276). It is the only extant Methodist chapel dating from the 18th century in South Kesteven. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that the first Wesleyan Methodist circuits based solely in the district emerged. Grantham Wesleyan Methodist Circuit was formed from The Newark circuit in 1803, and Stamford Wesleyan Methodist Circuit was formed from the Kettering group in 1806. As with the other districts of Lincolnshire Wesleyan Methodism remained the preeminent Methodist denomination in South Kesteven in this period: 53% of the total surviving chapels are Wesleyan, and they comprise 70% of the surviving Methodist chapels. The extant buildings are spread fairly evenly across the district (see Fig. 1). Most of the non‐extant chapels were located in the north ofe th district, whether this indicates a decline in members, or more instances of rebuilding is unclear.

Other Methodist groups did emerge in the district, though they remained marginal compared to the Wesleyans. Extant Primitive Methodist chapels comprise only 16% of the total, somewhat fewer when compared with other districts: 23% in East Lindsey, 21% in South Holland, 20% in North Kesteven, 18% in Boston Borough and 28% in West Lindsey. The only Primitive Methodist circuit to be based solely in South Kesteven was the Grantham circuit, active from 1864. Certainly, most of the extant Primitive Methodist chapels in the district are found near Grantham, and the earliest, at (Fig. 5; survey number 39288), was never in a South Kesteven‐based circuit. Other than a handful of chapels in (which were part of Primitive Methodist Circuit) there are no other extant Primitive Methodist chapels in the district. The Primitive Methodists' lack of success can be attributed, at least partly, to the fact that the district was richer and more urban: Primitive Methodists were stronger in poorer, more rural regions with lower levels of landlord control, such as the fens and marshes to the east and south of the county (Ambler, 2000, p.155, Fig. 26).

The Free Methodists fared even more poorly in the district. Only two surviving chapels belonged to the United Methodist Free Churches, and the survey uncovered only three non‐extant Free Methodist chapels. There are also one extant and two non‐extant Methodist Reform chapels. However, the Reform cause was strong at first, at least in the north of the district. Grantham Wesleyans suffered the most dramatic drop in numbers, from 1,056 to 448 between 1850 and 1851, and a circuit – the only Free Methodist circuit ever to be active solely in South Kesteven – was based there from 1867.

Other than the aforementioned Primitive chapel at Fulbeck all extant Primitive, Free and Reform chapels were built in after the early‐19th century, four in the mid‐19th century, and five in the late‐ 19th century. This suggests that while these movements were never widespread, they did remain strong in areas where they became established.

One chapel in South Kesteven is unique in that it was built as a dual‐denomination building by Primitive Methodists and General Baptists. Located in (Fig. 6; survey number 48800) the building was designed by one W Brown and was opened in 1867. It is unknown why these two congregations decided to do this, but it seems reasonable to assume that the reasons were either financial, or due to difficulty in finding land to build upon. The chapel eventually became solely Baptist (perhaps because the Primitive congregation died out), but it is a remarkable example of pragmatism amongst the often conflicting interests of nonconformist groups.

Denomination Total Wesleyan 29 (53%) Primitive 9 (16%) Free 2 (4%) Methodist Reform 1 (2%) Salvation Army 1 (2%) General Baptist 5 (9%) Particular Baptist 1 (2%) Strict Baptist 1 (2%) Calvinistic Baptist 1 (2%) Congregational 5 (9%) Calvinist 1 (2%) Denomination of surviving chapels

Survival

Levels of survival of extant chapels in South Kesteven are remarkably high: 89% of buildings survive with most or all of their historic fabric, and only 9% have minor or minimal levels of survival. The district with the next‐highest levels of survival is East Lindsey, where 57% of the buildingsh have hig levels of historic fabric remaining. None of the other districts have a figure higher 50%.

The figures for window survival are similarly striking: 60% of buildings survive with all or most of their original windows intact. For comparison the proportion for East Lindsey is 38%, for North Kesteven 34% and for West Lindsey 31%. As a result the figures for minor and minimal survival and for total removal are low: 11% and 16% respectively.

Alteration normally occurs when a chapel is converted for a different purpose. The most destructive conversions often involve a building being appropriated for commercial or industrial use. For example conversion to a garage or workshop often necessitates the insertion of a large door which can all but destroy the fabric and character of one of the elevations. An example of this is with the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel in (Fig. 7; survey number 39267), which has been converted into a garage and has had a door large enough for vehicular access inserted on the frontage.

Another building that has had a particularly unsympathetic conversion is the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel in (Fig. 8; survey number 39274), which has been divided into two properties (one a house, one a shop), rendered (perhaps to hide the evidence of alterations) and has had modern bay windows and a new roof installed. Even a conversion to a house can result in additions that are less than harmonious with the historic fabric. The former Wesleyan Methodist chapel at (Fig. 9; survey number 39295) has been weatherboarded and has had modern plastic windows installed. Conversions are often considered, though. The former Wesleyan Methodist chapel at (Fig. 10; survey number 39301) may have had a new door and windows, but retains the roof and apertures, as well as the unornamented frontage.

There were no extant chapels outside the focus of a settlement in South Kesteven.

Level of Survival Denomination Complete Major Part Minor Part Minimal Unknown Wesleyan 15 9 3 2 Primitive 6 3 Free 2 Methodist Reform 1 General Baptist 3 2 Particular Baptist 1 Strict Baptist 1 Calvinistic Baptist 1 Salvation Army 1 Calvinist 1 Congregational 4 1 Levels of survival of historic fabric for extant chapels by denomination

Present Use

Of the 55 extant chapels in South Kesteven 20 (36%) remain in use as places of worship. This is a higher figure than for East Lindsey, West Lindsey, North Kesteven and Boston Borough (24%, 29%, 29% and 27% respectively) but not quite as high as South Holland's 41%. This relatively high level of continuity in terms of usage may account for the relatively low levels of alteration discussed above.

However, the majority of surviving chapels in the district have been converted for different functions. As with the other districts the most common alternative use is as a dwelling; 40% of South Kesteven's extant chapels are now houses. A figure that sits neatly between South Holland and Boston Borough (24% and 35% respectively) and North Kesteven and East Lindsey (49% and 45.5% respectively).

Only four buildings (7%) are disused, and one of those is ruinous (the aforementioned former Wesleyan chapel at Dyke), ae lower figur than East Lindsey (15%) or Boston Borough and South Holland (both 16%). The rest of the buildings are being used for a variety of commercial and public functions.

Present Use Total House 22 (40%) Chapel 20 (36%) Disused 4 (7%) Shop 3 (5%) Garage 2 (4%) Village Hall 1 (2%) Scout Hut 1 (2%) Warehouse 1 (2%) Sunday School 1 (2%) Public House 1 (2%) Present Use of Extant Chapels

Date

As with the other districts of Lincolnshire the majority of extant nonconformist chapels in South Kesteven were built in the 19th century. Over half (58%) of these chapels date from the mid‐19th century, with the early‐ and late‐19th century accounting for a further 5% and 27% respectively. All‐ in‐all 50 (91%) of the surviving buildings in the district were built in the 19th century. This is comparable, but notably higher, than East Lindsey, where the number is 87%, and significantly higher than North Kesteven and South Holland (74% and 68% respectively). Both of these districts have a greater number of buildings dating from the early‐20th‐century, 16% for North Kesteven and 24% for South Holland.

The only surviving buildings dating from the 18th century are the aforementioned Calvinist and former Wesleyan Methodist chapels (Figs. 3 & 11; survey numbers 37448 & 39276), although there was an early‐18th‐century Baptist chapel in Bourne (Stell, 2002, p.199‐200). The three early‐19th century buildings are a former Primitive Methodist chapel in Fulbeck (Fig. 5; survey number 39288), and a former Wesleyan Methodist and Congregational church (Figs. 12 & 13; survey numbers 38294 & 37906), both in Stamford. Of these buildings only the Congregational chapel is still in use as a place of worship, although the former Wesleyan chapel is now a Sunday school associated with its successor chapel. The survival of these early chapels in Stamford correlates with the evidence suggesting that Stamford had a strong early nonconformist presence.

As previously mentioned, and noted in other districts, the mid‐ and late‐19th century is the period when most chapels were built. It is also when Primitive and Free Methodism were at their strongest and all but one (the above‐mentioned Primitive chapel at Fulbeck) of these two groups' chapels were built in the mid‐ and late‐19th century. However chapel building was driven by the Wesleyan Methodists in this period: of 47 surviving mid‐ and late‐19th century buildings 25 (53%) are Wesleyan‐built.

The majority of chapels belonging to Dissenter Groups were also built in this period. Of 15 non‐ Methodist chapels in South Kesteven 12 were built in the mid‐to‐late 19th century. These include all of the district's extant Baptist chapels, and all of the district's Congregational chapels except for the aforementioned chapel in Stamford. Whereas in South Holland and North Kesteven new chapels continued to be built in significant numbers, it tails off dramatically in South Kesteven. Only 3 (5%) of the district's extant chapels date from this period, and even counting the non‐extant buildings we find only another 3 chapels. Two of these buildings are Wesleyan Methodist, and one is the Salvation Army Citadel in Grantham (Fig. 4; survey number 38924).

Period Total Late‐18th Century 2 (4%) Early‐19th Century 3 (5%) Mid‐19th Century 32 (58%) Late‐19th Century 15 (27%) Early‐20th Century 3 (5%) Age of Extant Chapels

Materials and Construction

The surviving chapels in South Kesteven are built out of either brick or stone. Brick‐built chapels account for 34 (62%) of the total, with 18 (33%) being built from stone and one being built from a combination of the two materials. Of the brick chapels 25 (71%) are built fromd re brick, six (17%) from gault brick and four are rendered. In terms of dressing material 11 (20%) chapels have only brick dressings, with seven of those comprising only of red brick. Stone dressings feature on 22 (40%) of extant buildings while 12 (22%) of buildings use a combination of brick and stone for decoration. Seven chapels have unknown levels decoration (either due to rendering or the building being obscured) or no decoration at all.

The sole chapel that uses a combination of brick and stone as a construction material is the Particular Baptist chapel on North Street in Stamford (Fig. 14; survey number 39119) is a building that has been heavily altered behind its Neoclassical stone frontage; it features a patchwork of stone and brick courses to its side elevations.

The proportion of stone buildings in South Kesteven is the highest in the county: 18%, compared to 10% in South Holland and Boston Borough, 6% in West Lindsey, 11% in North Kesteven and none in East Lindsey. This is probably due to the twin factors of affluence and easy access to the Lincolnshire limestone belt, which bisects the district and is in close proximity to both Grantham and Stamford.

Number of Chapels with String Course by Period Early‐19th Century Mid‐19th Century Late‐19th Century 1 (33%) 4 (13%) 6 (40%) Extant chapels with string courses by period (percentages are of the total number of chapels from that period)

Of the extant chapels in South Kesteven 11 (20%) had string courses, all of them dating from the 19th century. This is a lower figure than in East Lindsey (24%), Boston Borough (33%), North Kesteven (36%) and South Holland (31%).

Roof Shape

Gabled roofs make up 78% of the roof shapes of surviving chapels in South Kesteven. This is consistent with the county's other districts: 74% for East Lindsey, 76% for South Holland, 73% for Boston Borough, 84% for West Lindsey and 78% for North Kesteven. As in East Lindsey the majority of hipped‐roofed buildings (seven of eight) were built in the mid‐19th century.

Roof Shape Total Gabled 43 (78%) Hipped 8 (15%) Half‐Hipped 1 (2%) Pyramidal 1 (2%) Unknown 2 (4%) Extant chapels by roof shape

Roof Covering

Welsh slate is used on 49% of the surviving chapels' roofs, in contrast to 40% for slate, pantile and plain tile combined. The remaining buildings have had their roofs replaced with various types of modern tile or other materials. Altogether slate coverings make up 51% of the roof coverings in the district. This is comparable to East Lindsey and North Kesteven where the number is around half, and somewhat more than West Lindsey, where 44% of surviving roofs are slate. The figure is much higher in South Holland, though, where 71% of roofs are slate. Compared to the other districts the amount of original roofs (89%) is very high: only East Lindsey (86%) and, to a lesser extent, South Holland and North Kesteven (around 75% and 80% respectively) have comparable levels of roof survival.

Roof Covering Total Welsh Slate 27 (49%) Slate 1 (2%) Plain Tile 12 (22%) Pantile 9 (16%) Modern 5 (9%) Unknown 1 (2%) Extant chapels by roof covering

Windows and Doors

Just under a quarter of surviving buildings in South Kesteven retain their original door. This contrasts with North Kesteven, where the figure is just under half, and East Lindsey, West Lindsey, Boston Borough and South Holland where the figure is approximately one‐third.

Window style is an important part of a building's character, and can be indicative of architectural trends. The round‐headed style is preeminent in the mid‐19th century, when Italianate and Classical styles were more commonplace. In other districts there was a noticeable trend for pointed‐arched windows and doors in the later 19th century, driven by the popularity of Gothic‐style buildings. The trend is noticeable, but less pronounced in South Kesteven where in the mid‐19th century pointed windows make up 12 (16%) of the 74 recorded window types, but account for 42% of window types in the late‐19th century. Many chapels have combinations of different window style, with perhaps a large, decorative round‐ or pointed‐headed window on the front elevation, and less ornate segmental‐ or flat‐headed windows on the sides and rear.

Unknown Flat‐ Segmental‐ Round‐ Pointed Pointed Florentine or Headed Headed Headed Segemental Removed Late‐ 18th 2 Century Early‐ 19th 2 1 Century Mid‐ 19th 11 16 23 12 11 1 Century Late‐ 19th 2 4 6 1 1 Century Early‐ 20th 1 2 Century Window style of extant chapels by period (some chapels have more than one style of window)

Style and Decoration

As with the other districts of Lincolnshire the surviving chapels of South Kesteven come in a variety of styles. The buildings range from small, plain vernacular structures, often from the earlier period and/or in more remote locations, to larger, more elaborate architect‐designed chapels, which are more often found in the larger settlements. Numerous factors, such as date, denomination and finances, influence the design of an individual chapel.

Of the two 18th century chapels that survive in the district there is little to say. The Calvinist chapel on Castlegate in Grantham (Fig. 3; survey number 37448) is located in a private courtyard that proved inaccessible during the survey, so the architectural features of it must remain unknown for the time being. The former Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Dyke near Bourne (Fig. 11; survey number 39276) is in a precarious state close to ruin. However it is apparent that it was a rather plain building with a hipped roof and only dentillated eaves for decoration.

Most surviving chapels in South Kesteven exhibit at least some decorative features. There are nine buildings with raised gables (most with stone coping) and eight examples of dentil or cogging courses. Quoins are relatively commonplace, featuring on no less than 16 buildings, and often finished in finely dressed stone. Only 6 (11%) of buildings are completely plain. Interestingly all of these buildings date from the mid‐19th century or later, whereas in other districts completely plain chapels seem to be more common in the first half of the 19th century.

Two of the three early‐19th‐century chapels are, however, relatively plain. The former Primitive Methodist chapel at Fulbeck (Fig. 5; survey number 39288) dates from 1825 and features no decoration other than a small ocular window on the gable and decorative ridge tiles. The Congregational chapel on Star Lane in Stamford (Fig. 13; survey number 37906) was built in 1819 and features no more ornamentation than a stone plinth and cills and rubbed‐brick arches.

The other early‐19th‐century chapel ‐ the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel on Barn Hill in Stamford (Fig. 12; survey number 38294) ‐ is far more elaborate. Although there is no record of an architect it appears to be architect designed. It is said to have cost £800 in 1804, when it was built, and features Italianate and Classical elements. A lot of the building's historic fabric is obscured by later buildings (including its successor chapel, to which it is now the Sunday school) but it is apparent that it is built from finely‐dressed stone and features round‐headed arches, a Venetian window and stone coping on the gable.

Examples of unadorned buildings include the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Claypole (Fig. 15; survey number 39280), a small, red‐brick hipped‐roofed building of 1835 that has no decoration other than a tablet over the door and stone lintels over the windows and door. A similar building is the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel in (Fig. 16; survey number 39264), built in 1832 and also of red brick. Although now in a state of some disrepair the fabric of the building is largely intact (save for the roof which has been replaced) and lacks almost all decorative features. A stone‐built example is the Baptist chapel at Bath Row in Stamford (Fig. 17; survey number 39305), which opened in 1835 only to be closed and converted into a house 11 years later. Its fabric contains some dressed stone, but it seems to be the result of modern repairs.

Other small chapels of the mid‐19th century, while still plain, exhibit higher levels of decoration. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel at (Fig. 18; survey number 39293) is hardly ostentatious, but features dressed‐stone arches and a tablet, as well as dressed‐stone long‐and‐short quoins, a common feature of stone‐built chapels in South Kesteven. It also features stained glass windows, although these may be a much later addition. A similar building is the former Congregational chapel at (Fig. 19; survey number 39304), another stone building, dating from 1843. It also features long‐and‐short quoins, and has a stone string course and stone coping which work together to give the impression of a pediment. The coping features a finial and pinnacles to the corners.

There are a number of mid‐19th‐century chapels located in smaller settlements that seem to be the work of architects, or that at least showcase a coherent style as opposed to a haphazard combination of decorative elements; perhaps a reflection of the greater affluence in South Kesteven. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel at (Fig. 20; survey number 39297) dates form 1865, is a red‐brick building of moderate size, and in the Italianate style. Featuring rubbed‐brick round‐headed window arches and finely‐dressed stone quoins, under a raised gable with stone coping, it exemplifies an increasing trend toward ornamentation in the second half ofe th 19th century.

Chapels in the larger settlements were generally larger and more elaborate, no doubt reflecting the bigger congregations and greater wealth of the towns. In the towns of mid‐19th‐century South Kesteven the Classical style was popular. The General Baptist chapel on West Street in Bourne (Fig. 21; survey number 38113) was built in 1835 in the Classical style, at a cost of £1,700. It is built from sandy ashlar and features a three‐bay front with round‐headed window arches, a pediment over the door, terminal pilasters and a corbel‐table supporting a parapet. Another example from Bourne is the Wesleyan Methodist chapel on Abbey Road (Fig. 22; survey number 38141), built in 1841 by Thomas Pilkington at a cost of £1,200. Again Classically‐styled with a three‐bay front, it is rendered white and features a pediment and intermediate and terminal pilasters. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel on Finkin Street in Grantham (Fig. 23 survey number 37452) is another large Classical building. It has a five‐bay front with large, square towers to the corners, Tuscan columns supporting a porch and flat‐ and round‐headed window arches.

The Italianate style is also represented in the larger settlements by the Particular Baptist chapel on North Street in Stamford (Fig. 14; survey number 39119), which was originally built by John George de Merveilleux in 1834. In 1900 it was given a new Italianate frontage by J B Corby. It is of ashlar with round‐headed arches with large decorative keystones, and features terminal pilasters, a raised gable with stone coping and a finial with an oyster shell motif.

Other Italianate chapels appear in the smaller settlements. The former Methodist Reform chapel at (Fig. 24; survey number 39283) is one of the more striking chapels in South Kesteven. Built in 1858 by W Thompson of Grantham it is of stone and features dressed‐stone and red‐brick dressings, pointed and round‐headed arches, and a square tower to the south‐east corner.

By the late‐19th century the Italianate and Classical styles give way, as in the other districts of Lincolnshire, to the Gothic style. Of seven Classical chapels in the district four are from the mid‐19th century, with only one each from every other period; and of five Italianate chapels three date from the mid‐19th century and only two from the late‐19th century. In contrast five of the district's seven Gothic chapels date from the late‐19th century.

The Gothic style was already coming through by the 1860s, though. The Congregational chapel on Castlegate in Grantham (Fig. 25; survey number 39290) was built by J Tait in 1869 and remains one of the more impressive Gothic‐style chapels in South Kesteven. It is built of stone and features pointed‐arched two‐panel windows with geometric tracery, raised gables with stone coping and a balustrade. Its most striking feature is its tall bell tower, which is topped with a spire. A very similar chapel is the Wesleyan Methodist chapel on Barn Hill in Stamford (Fig. 26; survey number 39009), built by J T Ward in 1886. To build this chapel the society were forced to buy and demolish a number of houses, which indicates the Stamford Wesleyan Methodists were able to command some financial clout in the late‐19th century. It is built of stone and features pointed window arches, a four‐panel central window with geometric tracery, decorative buttresses, and, above, a raised gable with stone coping and stone kneelers. As shown in an engraving (Leary, 1988, p.73) the building used to have a tower to the north‐west corner, it was removed at an unknown date leaving behind a stumpy remnant that doesn't even equal the height of the gable. This is one of only four chapels in South Kesteven known to have, or to have had, towers.

A less ostentatious example of the movement toward Gothic styling is the former Primitive Methodist chapel on Broad Street, also in Grantham (Fig. 27; survey number 39289). Built in 1886 the building is of red brick and features rubbed‐gault‐brick pointed arches and stone hood mouldings. Another example of a more understated Gothic chapel is the former Wesleyan Methodist chapel on Dallygate in Great Ponton (Fig. 28; survey number 39291). Built of rusticated stone it features gentle Gothic elements in its pointed‐arched windows and stone hood mouldings.

The chapel at Great Ponton was built in 1898, but stylised chapels begin to emerge in the smaller settlements duringe th 1870s. The former Primitive Methodist chapel at (Fig. 29; survey number 39286) was built in 1878, again of rusticated stone and uses a similarly gentle Gothic style to the chapel at Great Ponton. It features pointed‐arched windows with ashlar surrounds and quoins, and decorative barge boards. At there is a late example of an Italianate chapel in the Primitive Methodist chapel on Green Street (Fig. 30; survey number 38937). It is of red brick and features both ashlar and gault brick dressings. It has a raised gable with stone coping and an ocular window underneath. Gault brick is used under the gable is used to create a sort of crow‐ stepped effect, and this, combined with the multiple ashlar string courses give the chapel an arresting high‐contrast frontage.

In the late‐19th century even less stylised buildings become more adventurous with their decoration. The only buildings in South Kesteven with polychrome brick dressings date from this period. The former Primitive Methodist chapel in (Fig. 31; survey number 39299) was built in 1876 and features a narrow three‐bay front with red‐and‐yellow‐brick round‐headed arches and cogging under the eaves. The General Baptist chapel at Morton (Fig. 32; survey number 39300) is even more conspicuous, featuring red‐and‐charcol‐brick Florentine window arches, and charcoal, blue and gault brick string courses.

Because so few of North Kesteven's early‐20th‐century chapels survive that it is difficult to ascertain any architectural trends from the period. The Salvation Army Citadel on London Road in Grantham (Fig. 4; survey number 38924) is, like many of their buildings, military‐styled with battlements and arrowslits. The Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Corby .Glen (Fig 33; survey number 39284) contains some gentle Classical and Italianate features, showing that these two styles never entirely lost their appeal in the district.

Burial Grounds

Neither sources nor site visits uncovered any burial grounds associated with nonconformist chapels in the district. This is unique in Lincolnshire: as all other districts have examples of burial grounds. Although their numbers in the other districts is very low, it seems unlikely that no chapels with burial grounds ever existed in South Kesteven. As such it seems reasonable to speculate that they remain undiscovered or have been otherwise obscured, although it should be reaffirmed that this is pure speculation.

Associated Buildings

Only five (9%) extant nonconformist chapels in South Kesteven have associated buildings, all of them Sunday schools. It is not uncommon to find Sunday schools associated with nonconformist chapels as education was a hugely important part of the various Dissenter and Methodist movements. Often this took the form of a schoolroom, often incorporated when a chapel was extended or renovated, but many others also constructed a separate building for the purpose of education.

Sunday schools were often built long after the completion of the chapel itself. The Wesleyan chapel at Colsterworth (Fig. 34; survey number 39282) was completed in 1835, but the Sunday school was not added until 1908, when the chapel also received a new frontage. Others were built simultaneously with the chapel, such as at the aforementioned Congregational chapel in Grantham (Fig. 25; survey number 39290).

Occasionally the building of a new chapel meant that the older building was relegated to a supporting role. The earlier Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Barn Hill in Stamford (Fig. 12; survey number 38294) was replaced by the new building (Fig. 26; survey number 39009) in 1886 and was immediately converted into a school.

Conclusion

During the survey 102 chapels were discovered to have existed at one time or another in South Kesteven, 55 (54%) of these were extant. In the other districts of Lincolnshire the vast majority of the buildings were located within the focus of a settlement, in South Kesteven there were no extant buildings in remote locations. The extant buildings are spread fairly evenly throughout the district, whereas the non‐extant buildings are mostly concentrated in the north. As previously stated it is unclear whether this indicates a decline in numbers of members, or more instances of rebuilding. It could also indicate a dgreater nee for land to build on in subsequent decades, necessitating a greater number of demolitions.

As with the other districts of Lincolnshire the surviving nonconformist places of worship are predominantly Methodist, comprising 75% of the extant buildings, with the majority of these (71%) being of Wesleyan Methodist origin. Other varieties of Methodism were present in the county, but they were never particularly strong compared to the Wesleyans. The strongest were the Primitive Methodists, whose nine chapels make up 16% of the total number in South Kesteven. The Primitives were strongest in the north, around Grantham (where the only Primitive Methodist circuit based in South Kesteven was founded) and in the fenlands to the south‐east. Despite attendance figures indicating a strong start, chapels belonging to the various Methodist Reform groups are even rarer. If we take Free Methodist and the Methodist Reform chapels together there are only three extant examples, and only a further five non‐extant examples. Wesleyan Methodism's pre‐eminence was even stronger here than in the other districts.

On the whole, though, Methodist chapels do not dominate the number of extant buildings quite as much as they do in some of the other districts. One‐quarter of extant buildings belong to various Dissenting Groups, notably to the numerous Baptist denominations (eight buildings, 15% of the total) and to Congregational groups (five buildings, 9% of the total). A sole Calvinist chapel also survives in Grantham, and a there are records indicating that a Mormon chapel was present in Stamford. Sources attest to the presence of Presbyterian and Quaker groups in the 18th century, but there are no records indicating the presence of purpose‐built places of worship belonging to these groups, either extant or otherwise.

The number of South Kesteven's extant chapels that remain in use as places of worship is 36%, the second highest in the county after South Holland. Like in the other districts residential conversion is the most likely fate of an abandoned chapel, amongst a variety of other commercial and/or public uses. There are only four chapels in South Kesteven standing empty, and only one of those (the aforementioned 18th‐century Wesleyan chapel at Dyke, Fig. 11; survey number 39276) is in a ruinous state. Similar to the other districts surveyed, the majority (91%) of extant buildings were built in the 19th century. Of these buildings 58% were built in the mid‐19th‐century and a further 27% in the late‐ 19th‐century; only 14% of chapels date from other periods. However, other districts have a significantly higher percentage of buildings dating from the early‐20th century. The oldest surviving chapel is the above‐mentioned Calvinist chapel at Grantham, which dates back to 1792. The newest chapels date from the first decade of the 20th century.

All of the surviving chapels are built from either brick or stone, with a single example that uses a combination of the two. Most of the brick buildings are of red brick, although there are a handful of chapels built from gault brick. Stone chapels make up a relatively high number of the extant buildings – 18%, the highest proportion in the county ‐ reflecting the close proximity of the Lincolnshire limestone belt. In particular Grantham and Stamford (both practically next door to the belt) have a number of quite fine stone chapels.

The extent of the survival of historic fabric: is high 89% of buildings boast high levels survival of historic fabric; compared to 40% each for West Lindsey and North Kesteven. 60% of buildings boast complete survival of their windows, and only 9% of buildings have modern roofs. As in the other districts most of the chapels have gabled roofs. There are 43 gable‐roofed chapels in East Lindsey, 78% of the total, with 15% having hipped roofs. 51% of buildings have slate roof coverings.

The size, style and decoration of chapels changes considerably over time and between locations, and is heavily influenced by financial factors. The range of different styles of building and decoration reflects that of the other areas, with many examples of both small, modest, vernacular buildings and large, elaborate architect‐designed chapels, as well as many medium‐sized buildings which, although far from plain, exhibit only moderate ornamentation.

The buildings erected prior to the mid‐19th century are largely small, vernacular buildings, with little or no decoration, such as the former Primitive Methodist chapel at Fulbeck (Fig. 5; survey number 39288). The former Wesleyan Methodist chapel on Barn Hill in Stamford (Fig. 12; survey number 38294) is far more elaborate, however, and has echoes of the Italianate and Classical styles that were to become popular in the district from the middle of the 19th century.

However, from the mid‐19th‐century ornamentation becomes the rule, rather than the exception and we begin to see raised gables, pilasters, dentil courses, and quoins becoming more and more common. In the larger settlements elaborate architect‐designed chapels become commonplace, notably Classically‐influenced chapels such as the General Baptist chapel in Bourne (Fig. 21; survey number 38113), and the Wesleyan Methodist chapel on Finkin Street in Grantham (Fig. 23 survey number 37452), as well as Italianate buildings such as the Particular Baptist chapel in Stamford (Fig. 14; survey number 39119). Architect‐designed chapels were not, however, restricted to the larger settlements; take, for example, the former Methodist Reform chapel at Colsterworth (Fig. 23 survey number 37452).

Although Classical and Italianate chapels continued to be built, the overwhelming trend in the late‐ 19th century is toward the Gothic, something which South Kesteven has in common with the other districts of Lincolnshire. The round‐ and segmental‐headed arches common in the mid‐19th century begin to be overtaken by that hallmark of Gothic architecture, the pointed arch. The Gothic chapels at Castlegate in Grantham (Fig. 25; survey number 39290), with its imposing tower, and at Barn Hill in Stamford (Fig. 26; survey number 39009) are representative of this movement.

The number of surviving 20th‐century chapels in South Kesteven is so few (three) that it is difficult to detect any trend or derive any conclusions from them, but the presence of one chapel with Italianate and Classical features – the Wesleyan Methodist chapel at Corby Glenn (Fig. 33; survey number 39284) – shows ethat th Gothic style never completely supplanted the earlier styles.

The nature of surviving nonconformist chapels of South Kesteven is broadly similar to that in the other districts surveyed. They date predominantly from the mid‐ and late‐19th‐century and are largely of Methodist origin. The earlier buildings are plain, but by the mid‐ and late‐19th‐century decoration, often quite elaborate decoration, becomes commonplace. The building material is usually brick, but stone is more widely used than in any other district of Lincolnshire – a result of greater wealth and close proximity to the Lincolnshire limestone belt. The Primitive and Free Methodist groups were relatively weak, whereas the Baptists and Congregationalists were relatively strong. The extant buildings' levels of survival and continued use as chapels are relatively high in South Kesteven.

Acknowledgements

I would like to express my gratitude to Sarah Grundy, Mark Bennet and Beryl Lott of Lincolnshire County Council Historic Environment Team for all of their help and support given during this project, and also to Louise Jennings, Karen Waite and Jan Allen for undertaking the necessary site visits.

A eNote on th Sources

The sources for South Kesteven are, compared to those for East Lindsey, unsatisfactory. There are fewer of them, and those that do exist seem to not be as informative. This, when combined with the fact that there are a lower number of extant buildings in South Kesteven, means that it was more difficult to identify trends and draw firm conclusions. Why the sources for South Kesteven are relatively poor is unknown. It may be due to Methodism being weaker overall than in East Lindsey, as many of the sources for that district were compiled by Methodist history societies. The lower number of extant buildings may be due to the greater affluence of the area and an increased need for land to build on; it is telling that there very few non‐extant buildings were found in the less wealthy fenland area to the south‐east of the district. An investigation into the exact reasons for the comparative lack of information regarding nonconformist places of worship in South Kesteven would be a worthwhile subject for further research.

Sources

Ordnance Survey 25‐inch County Series Map c.1905

Ordnance Survey 25‐inch County Series Map c.1932

Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 Maps c.1985

Lincs to the Past: http://www.lincstothepast.com/

Old‐Maps: http://www.old‐maps.co.uk/

Bibliography

Ambler R.W. Ed. 1979, Lincolnshire Returns of the Census of Religious Worship 1851. Lincoln Record Society Vol. 72. Lincoln: Lincoln Record Society

Ambler R.W. 2000, Churches, Chapels and Parish Communities of Lincolnshire 1660‐1900. A Vol. IX. Lincoln: History of Lincolnshire Committee.

Ambler R.W. 1989, Ranters, Revivalists and Reformers: Primitive Methodism and Rural Society in South Lincolnshire 1817‐1875. Hull University Press

Ambler R.W. 2001, Protestant Nonconformity, c1700‐1851 in An Historical Atlas of Lincolnshire. Bennett S. and Bennet N. (Eds). Chichester: Phillimore

Leary W. 1988, Lincolnshire Methodism. Buckingham: Barracuda Books

Pevsner N. and Harris J. 1989, The Buildings of : Lincolnshire. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books

Shepherdson, C. 2007, A List and Brief Details of Chapels in the Grantham and . Boston: Self‐Published

Shepherdson, C. 2007, A List and Brief Details of Chapels in the Circuit. Boston: Self‐ Published

Shepherdson, C. 2008, A List and Brief Details of Chapels in the South Lincolnshire Circuit. Boston: Self‐Published

Shepherdson, C. 2008, A List and Brief Details of Chapels in the Stamford, Newark, Peterborough, Wisbech & Goole Circuits. Boston: Self‐Published

Stell C. 2002, An Inventory of Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting‐Houses in Eastern England. Swindon: English Heritage

White W. 1856 (republished 1969), White’s 1856 Lincolnshire (History, Gazetteer and Directory of Lincolnshire). Trowbridge: David & Charles

Appendix I: Diagrams

Fig. 1 – Distribution of chapels in South Kesteven by denomination

Fig. 2 – Distribution of chapels in South Kesteven by age of building Appendix II: Photographs

Fig. 3 – Entrance to a courtyard containing a Calvinist chapel, Castlegate, Grantham; survey number 37448

Fig. 4 – Salvation Army Citadel, London Road, Grantham; survey number 38924

Fig. 5 – Former Primitive Methodist chapel, Washdyke Road, Fulbeck; survey number 39288

Fig. 6 – Current General Baptist and former Primitive Methodist chapel, Chapel Street, Haconby; survey number 48800

Fig. 7 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Main Street, Haconby; survey number 39267

Fig. 8 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Chapel Road, Billingborough; survey number 39274

Fig. 9 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Station Road, Little Bytham; survey number 39295

Fig. 10 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Chapel Hill, Ropsley; survey number 39301

Fig. 11 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Main Road, Dyke, Bourne; survey number39276

Fig. 12 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Barn Hill, Stamford; survey number 38294

Fig. 13 – Congregational chapel, Star Lane, Stamford; survey number 37906

Fig. 14 – Particular Baptist chapel, North Street, Stamford; survey number 39119

Fig. 15 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Chapel Lane, Claypole; survey number 39280

Fig. 16 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, West Street, Barkston; survey number 39264

Fig. 17 – Former General Baptist chapel, Bath Row, Stamford; survey number 39305

Fig. 18 – Former Wesleyan chapel, Chapel Lane, Ingoldsby; survey number 39293

Fig. 19 – Former Congregational chapel, Thistleton Lane, South Witham; survey number 39304

Fig. 20 – Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Main Road, Long Bennington; survey number 39297

Fig. 21 – General Baptist chapel, West Street, Bourne; survey 38113

Fig. 22 – Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Abbey Road, Bourne; survey number 38141

Fig. 23 – Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Finkin Street, Grantham; survey 37452

Fig. 24 – Former Methodist Reform chapel, High Street, Colsterworth; survey number 39283

Fig. 25 – Congregational chapel, Castlegate, Grantham; survey number 39290

Fig. 26 – Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Barn Hill, Stamford; survey number 39009

Fig. 27 – Former Primitive Methodist chapel, Broad Street, Grantham; survey number 39289

Fig. 28 – Former Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Dallygate, Great Ponton; survey number 39291

Fig. 29 – Former Primitive Methodist chapel, Bridge Street, Deeping St James; survey number 39286

Fig. 30 – Primitive Methodist chapel, Green Street, Gonerby; survey number 38937

Fig. 31 – Former Primitive Methodist chapel, Halfleet, Market Deeping; survey number 39299

Fig. 32 – General Baptist chapel, High Street, Morton; survey number 39300

Fig. 33 – Wesleyan Methodist chapel, Station Road, ; survey number 39284

Fig. 34 – Wesleyan Methodist chapel and Sunday school, Back Lane, Colsterworth; survey number 39282