A warm welcome to our beautiful 14th century church of All Saints’ Holbeach.

You will have entered by the North Porch, most probably an addition in the 16th century, with the two unusual drum towers that may have been remnants from Moulton Castle. Until 1811 there was a parvise (upper room) which housed the Farmer Free School.

The stained glass windows, well worth a careful study, date from the late 19th century to 1951 and are wonderful memorials to people who have served the parish so well in bygone days, such as Canon Hemmans, Vicar for 40 years from 1872 – 1912; William Rippin, the inspiring blind watch- maker; and several members of the Willders family.  

The nave and the west and, if it is a bright, sunny day, you will see the magnificent spectacle of the five light West Ascension Window. The kneelers sitting on the pews are much admired and were made as part of a Millennium project.  

Mary Bass was a local landowner who left a trust fund which was to be used to maintain the fabric of eight churches in the aren. All Saints is particularly fortunate in the gifts that it has received from this fund over many years. The platform above the room, reached by a spiral staircase, is for the bell ringers, (see publication on the bells)

From the west end looking down the nave you need not be concerned about the pillars which lean outwards, as they are safe, but remind us of the weight that constantly bears down on them. You should also notice that there are variations in the base mouldings (contoured outlines) and capitals (large carved headstones of the columns) which indicate that the western responds (half pillars built against the wall) were built first, with the lowest stage of the West Tower. The rest of the arcade was built from east to vest, the latest capitals being those of the western responds, by which time the weight of the Tower depressed the base 10 inches and a further drop was caused by the building of the spire.

Now turn to the ceiling of the Tower with a fairly unusual tierceron star vault (ribs or supports that do not complete a continuous line across the vaulted ceiling) and central oculus.

Two further items are noteworthy: the octagonal Font, with tall traceried pedestal, is one of the oldest fittings in the church and still used regularly today for Baptisms; and the tomb of Sir Humphrey Littlebury who was a benefactor of the building of the church. There are also in this area the brasses of a headless knight and that of Joan Welby on a tomb chest.

It is worth walking round the outside of the church and looking particularly at the south door and porch which cannot be viewed from the inside. The outside doorway is surprisingly tall. You can also see the bell cote with pointed bell opening and the fourteenth century door has reticulated tracery. Look upwards to see and marvel at the recessed broached octagonal spire with 4 tiers of ornate lucarenes (openings on the flat surface) on alternating sides. Such craftsmanship and dedication were surely a leap of faith when it was constructed hundreds of years ago.