In that restoration the architect was the late Mr. Ewan Christian, and the contractors for the work Messrs. Lea & Ashton of Retford. The cost of the restoration of the chancel was defrayed by J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., as Lord of the Manor and Lay Rector, the rest being done by subscriptions amounting to about £4,000.
The present organ was originally designed by Mr. John Tunstall, and built by Messrs. Gray & Davidson, of London, at a cost of about £400. As re-constructed by Mr. Nicholson, of Lincoln, it contains 3 manuals, a fine pedal organ with 45 stops, and more than 2,500 pipes. It cost more than £2,000, £1,350 of which was contributed by the late Henry James Fielding, Esq, of Handel House, Horncastle. At a later date a trumpet was added, costing £120, the result being probably as fine an instrument as any in the county. For many years the organist was Mr. William Wakelin, whose musical talent was universally acknowledged; on his unfortunate sudden death, on March 1st, 1908, he was succeeded by Mr. Hughes, recently Assistant Organist of Ely Cathedral.
Beneath the east window is a handsome carved Reredos of Caen stone, somewhat heavy in style, having five panels, two on each side containing figures of the four evangelists, the central subject being "The Agony in the Garden." In this the figure of the Saviour is exquisitely designed; below are the three sleeping disciples, while above are two ministering angels, one holding a crown of thorns, the other the "cup of bitterness." The panels have richly crocketed canopies, the central one being surmounted by a floriated cross. They are filled with diaper work, and the supporting pilasters are of various-coloured Irish marbles. The whole was designed by C. E. Giles, Esq., cousin of the late Vicar, Prebendary Robert Giles.
In the jamb, south of the Communion Table, is a Piscina; in the north wall a square aumbrey and a curious iron-barred opening, which was probably a Hagioscope for the Chantry behind. The present Vestry in the north-east corner is modern, built on the site where there was formerly a coalhouse, and, at a later date, a shed for the town fire-engine.
The Chancel has an arcade of three bays on the south side, filled with good 14th century carved oak screen work, separating it from the south-side chapel, said to have been anciently called "The Corpus Christi Chapel," and has two bays on the north, the easternmost being occupied by the organ, separating it from St. Catherine's Chantry;[1] the other having similar screen
- ↑ The origin of this Chantry is shewn by the following documents:—In the archives of Carlisle Cathedral is a copy, in Latin, of a Privy Seal State Paper, Domestic, vol. i, 5039, of date 5 May, 6 Henry VIII. (A.D. 1514), slightly imperfect, but running thus: "The King to all ... greeting. Know that we, of our special grace ... by these presents do grant ... for us, our heirs and successors ... to the devout woman, the Lady Margaret Copuldyke, widow, and Richard Clarke, tanner, of Horncastle, that they found a fraternity, or guild, to the honour of St. Katharine, and for the extending of divine teaching, in the Parish Church of the blessed Virgin of Horncastell, and mortain licence to acquire land of the annual value of 25 marks" (£16 15s. 4d.). Another document, a Chantry Certificate, Lincoln. No 33 (55), Ed. VI. (1552), states that "the Guild of St. Katharine, in Horncastell, was founded by Joan Copuldyke, widow, and others, with the intention that one Chaplain for ever, should celebrate divine services in the church, for the souls of the founder, and others; the profits of the land and possessions are received by the Alderman of the Guild." They are described as "worth yearly; £13 8s. 8d., with fees, wages, rents and other reprises, £7 15s. 3d. The clear value, reprises deducted, yearly, £5 13s. 10d.," with "goods, chattels and ornaments worth £1 10s." It is to be observed that Gervase Holles says, that at the time of his vist, she was named "Margaret," in a window then existing in the church. A Patent Roll, 3 Ed. VI., pt. 5, m. 4, gives various lands and tenements, with which this chantry was endowed, in Horncastle, Spilsby, Thornton and Roughton, occupied by about 100 tenants; and states that all these were granted "by the King to Robert Carr, gent., of Sleaford, and John Almond, their heirs and
