St Andrew

About

St Andrew's is the smallest church still in regular use in the county of Lincolnshire. It stands in the tiny hamlet of Scott Willoughby, part of the civil parish of Aunsby and Dembleby in North Kesteven, just over four miles south of Sleaford. Like its neighbours, it sits within the Church of England parish of South Lafford, in the Diocese of Lincoln, and is a Grade II listed building.

Despite its modest size, it holds features of real age and interest: a medieval tub font, 17th-century barley-sugar-twist altar rails, and a fragment of Anglo-Saxon interlace carving reused in the chancel arch stonework.

History

The church's origins go back to the 10th century, making it one of the oldest foundations among the South Lafford group of parishes. Two fragments of a single mid-10th to early-11th-century carved stone grave cover survive, reused within the chancel arch, probably set there during 19th-century rebuilding work. A further roll-moulded stone fragment dates from the 12th century.

The medieval bell and font both date from the 13th century, and parish records show a request for burial in the churchyard as early as 1415. The 17th century saw further additions, including the pulpit, reading desk and the distinctive twisted altar rails.

Having fallen out of use for a time, the church was repaired and its chancel renewed in 1826, with box pews, pulpit and reading desk installed to match. It was remodelled again in 1863, and the walls were restored once more in 1882.

St Andrew's was designated a Grade II listed building on 11 January 1990. Its surviving Anglican parish registers date from 1826, though earlier baptism and marriage records for the parish survive on microfiche from 1573.