Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Church Wardens
Bob Kenyon tel. 01507 533454 (Treasurer)
Jo Reid 01507 534363
History of the Church
Although the present building only dates from the nineteenth century it is not known for certain when the first church building was erected in the parish, but there is positive documentary evidence of a church in the village before 1153. The church of Belchford was shared between the priories of Spalding and Trentham from the 12th century. Ranulph, Earl of Chester, was Lord of Belchford by means of his marriage as third husband to Lady Lucia, whose first husband had been Ivo Taillebois who received the Lordship of Belchford from William the Conqueror. She inherited when Ivo died childless. At some time before the death of the Earl of Chester in 1153 he gave half the church of Belchford to Spalding Priory and Convent. His son, Hugh, who died in 1181, assigned the remaining half of the church to Trentham Priory and Convent, The church was thus divided into two medieties, North and South. Both priories claimed the right to appoint rectors to the parish, and that is why there are two lists of rectors in the years before dissolution of the monasteries. The two Priors would have come to an arrangement about division of the tithes and rents and must have agreed which of the two rectors would be responsible as parish priest in the village.
Although the present building only dates from the nineteenth century it is not known for certain when the first church building was erected in the parish, but there is positive documentary evidence of a church in the village before 1153. The church of Belchford was shared between the priories of Spalding and Trentham from the 12th century. Ranulph, Earl of Chester, was Lord of Belchford by means of his marriage as third husband to Lady Lucia, whose first husband had been Ivo Taillebois who received the Lordship of Belchford from William the Conqueror. She inherited when Ivo died childless. At some time before the death of the Earl of Chester in 1153 he gave half the church of Belchford to Spalding Priory and Convent. His son, Hugh, who died in 1181, assigned the remaining half of the church to Trentham Priory and Convent, The church was thus divided into two medieties, North and South. Both priories claimed the right to appoint rectors to the parish, and that is why there are two lists of rectors in the years before dissolution of the monasteries. The two Priors would have come to an arrangement about division of the tithes and rents and must have agreed which of the two rectors would be responsible as parish priest in the village.
The Current Situation
As a result of a tornado that hit the village in 2006, the church was extensively damaged and repairs and redecoration have only recently been completed.
The graveyards nearest the road are maintained by local volunteers while the one furthest away is part of the God’s Acres Project and is being turned onto a wild flower meadow. It is at its best in Spring when an abundance of flowers covers the area. There are two war graves in this part of the churchyard – one from each of the World Wars.
The graveyards nearest the road are maintained by local volunteers while the one furthest away is part of the God’s Acres Project and is being turned onto a wild flower meadow. It is at its best in Spring when an abundance of flowers covers the area. There are two war graves in this part of the churchyard – one from each of the World Wars.
Lincolnshire Rising 1536
It was through the parson of Belchford in 1536 that the village figured in national events that year. Nicholas Leache was presented to Belchford Rectory in 1534, and two years later was one of the ringleaders in the Lincolnshire Rising when 3,000 people gathered at Horncastle to protest against closure of the monasteries by Henry VIII. After the Rising had been put down Nicholas Leache along with others was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn for treason.
It was through the parson of Belchford in 1536 that the village figured in national events that year. Nicholas Leache was presented to Belchford Rectory in 1534, and two years later was one of the ringleaders in the Lincolnshire Rising when 3,000 people gathered at Horncastle to protest against closure of the monasteries by Henry VIII. After the Rising had been put down Nicholas Leache along with others was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn for treason.
Previous Shows and Concerts
The PCC would like to thank all those who have supported the Church through the year and have helped to keep the churchyard and the Church in good order.