Team Parish of Louth
Louth is a working market town on the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. It has a Georgian heart and many attractive buildings. There is a street market every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, a Farmers' Market once a month and a cattle market on Thursdays. The population is around 17000 but the town serves a much larger population from the surrounding area.
TheTeam Parish of Louth covers the whole of the town of Louth and the villages of South Elkington, Welton-le-Wold, Keddington and Stewton.
In addition to the parish church there are two other churches in the town - St Michael and All Angels and Holy Trinity - plus All Saints Church, South Elkington, St Martin's Welton-le-Wold and St Andrew Stewton.
St James's Church
The magnificent St James's Church, with its spire reaching 295 feet, can be seen from miles around.
The ill-fated Lincolnshire Rising started here in 1536 and ended with the execution of the then vicar Thomas Kendall. The fifteenth century building is a focal point for the town and draws thousands of people to it each year.
The Parochial church council have developed a strong Welcome Ministry for visitors which emphasises the building's spirituality as well as its history.
St Michael's and All Angels Church, Louth
St Michael's Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Lincoln in 1863 was designed by James Fowler of Louth, a prolific architect and restorer of Lincolnshire churches.
St Michael's became reputed for worshipping in the Anglo-Catholic tradition. Nearly 150 years later and St Michael's continues to hold dear this traditional, yet inclusive form of worship. Click to visit St Michael's website...
The Trinity Centre, Louth
The Trinity Centre was opened in 1999 following a fire that destroyed most of the Victorian church. Only the tower remains of the previous building.
It was quickly decided that Holy Trinity would be rebuilt as a Community Centre with a worship space. The brief for the new building was for accommodation of a high standard to provide interesting spaces for a wide range of activities.
The architect converted this brief into an imaginative design that gives comfortable and attractive accommodation for individuals (anniversary parties, for example), voluntary groups, public authorities and commercial organisation. Click here to visit the Trinity Centre website...
St Andrew's Church, Stewton
Worship has taken place in this delightful location for over 1000 years in a welcoming community, whose mission work reaches as far as Wiyiemerirrie in Kenya with our latest orphanage project.
St Andrew's is popular with people from the surrounding area because of its appeal to all ages with a simple adaptable style which suits the congregation. Major festivals such as Harvest and Nine Lessons and Carols can see the church bursting at the seams.
Refreshments are served after every service, which creates an opportunity to talk with the priest and each other and so develop wider community involvement.
People are increasingly choosing this churchyard for the burial of their loved ones as it is such a beautiful and peaceful location. Recently the church gained fame beyond
the parish when it was chosen by Hornby, the international company, to be a model for their Skaledale village.
This may be the smallest church building in the team parish, but the congregation has a positive dynamic attitude encompassing the "old fashioned" village values of love, care
and supporting each other in all we do at home and abroad.
All Saints Church, South Elkington
All Saints' is situated in the village of South Elkington, three miles west of Louth in an area of mixed farming on the Lincolnshire Wolds. Elkington District also includes the small hamlets of North Elkington, Boswell, and Cotes Grange Farms.
The population of approximately 250 people enjoy either a high level of employment within the surrounding area, or are retired.
The church of All Saints' is a Victorian restoration seating approximately 180 people and along with its church yard, is well maintained. The church organ has recently been restored and South Elkington is fortunate to have an excellent regular organist with others willing to fill in where necessary.
Clergy and Readers alternate to take two services monthly - Holy Communion, often with a Baptism, and Matins, both at 11am. At least six weddings take place each year. In addition to a Church Harvest Festival and Carol Service, both of which are well attended by local residents, there are similar services for a local independent school.
A church hall is situated nearby, used regularly by U3A and WI, adult education classes, parties and receptions.
St Martin's Church, Welton le Wold
Commanding a rural view across the Wolds, the tranquil churchyard at Welton-le-Wold is the delightful setting for St Martin's church. Services are held fortnightly and the chancel is an intimate worship space for early morning communion services.
Always a delight to visit on a fine day, the church has been made a practical and comfortable venue for community events by the addition of outside lighting and by recent changes to the interior. The creation of space in the north aisle, together with the installation of a small kitchen area and a toilet enable Welton to use the building to its full advantage. Concerts held here include performances by local musicians and professionals, some arranged through the Lincolnshire Touring Project, which brings first class musicians to the small rural villages of Lincolnshire.
The efforts of local people in fundraising and securing grants have brought the church building into the centre of the community in a new way, providing the only community space in the village.
