Discovering Lincolnshire

In my work for Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire, I travel throughout the county, sometimes to remote and little known places. I am learning that Lincolnshire is a county of hidden treasures.

Recently I travelled from my office in Heckington up through Billinghay, Tattershall and Conningsby, then headed north east through Revesby (past the magnificant entrance to Revesby Abbey). I continued on through West Keal on the edge of the Wolds, past Spilsby and then turned off the A16 onto the A158, and through the village of Scremby.

A little further on I turned off the main road and followed the narrow, winding country lanes until I reached the hamlet of Monksthorpe, and my destination – a red brick building nestling in the trees and partially hidden from view. This early Baptist Chapel is approached along a rutted track lined with trees. Apart from a discrete sign on the gatepost you would hardly know it was there.

Monksthorpe Baptist Chapel

The Chapel stands in its own grounds, surrounded by trees. Close by are stables and a caretaker's cottage.

In the grounds of the Chapel is an open-air total submersion font – believed to be one of only two remaining in the whole country. This rectangular brick structure is built into the ground, with steps leading down into the water. The Chapel and the font are listed Grade II*.

The building fell into disrepair and was acquired by the National Trust in 1999. I was asked by the National Trust to be on the Committee for Monksthorpe Chapel which I was pleased to do, and have been priviledged to see this historic building as it undergoes extensive repairs and careful restoration.

The work is progressing, with the structural repairs now completed; the pantiled roof has been completely overhauled, and the sash windows repaired. Work is continuing on the interior, and to repair the fittings.

A sense of place

I am impressed, not by the scale or grandeur of this building – it is an attractive old building – but modest and unassuming, and without embellishment. No – I am touched by its sense of place.

Why, I wondered, was this chapel built out here, miles away from any settlement?

The building is a reminder of times past when small groups were meeting secretly for worship in Lincolnshire often in the open air or in the homes of members. At this time dissenters were not tolerated by the authorities.

In 1660, 35 Lincolnshire Baptists presented a petition to King Charles II. Nine of them lived in the parishes of Burgh and Croft. The congregation at Burgh le Marsh had then been in existence for 50 or more years. In spite of the petition, worship for the Burgh Baptists continued to prove difficult. In 1665, the Five Mile Act forced the congregation to leave its place of worship in Burgh. Instead they met in the fields in an area known as Monksthorpe.

The chapel at Monksthorpe was built in 1701, soon after the Toleration Act of 1689 which gave Protestant dissenters the freedom to build places of worship. Under the Five Mile Act a Non-conformist preacher or teacher could not preach or teach within five miles of a town. Although its penalties were removed by the Toleration Act, this Act had not been repealed. A chapel could legally be built within the five mile limit though it must be registered with the bishop or magistrate. It was, however, still illegal for a Non-conformist to preach there.

It would appear that the Chapel at Monksthorpe was deliberately built in a remote location to avoid discovery. There is evidence that some Lincolnshire Baptists were subjected to persecution and even imprisonment. The Chapel served a scattered community and people travelled from many miles around. Records show that in 1782 the church had 99 members, from at least 24 different villages and hamlets around Monksthorpe.

Although regular worship ceased at the chapel in the late 1970's it is still used for services, and these are organised by the Friends of Monksthorpe Chapel.

Open to the public

The building is an enduring testament to its founders, the early Lincolnshire Baptists who stood for freedom of worship and liberty of conscience. Now it is going to be open to the public, I hope that visitors will not only enjoy looking around this modest building, but also appreciate the peaceful location and understand something of its significance.

The repairs are expected to be completed in December 2001 and the building will be open to the public in 2002. If you would like to visit Monksthorpe Chapel then you should contact the National Trust for further information on opening times.

Paula Judson