Deserted and Abandoned Places - A visit to medieval Sutterby in the Lincolnshire Wolds

#lincolnshire #churchcrawling #churches #deserted #medievalhistory #medievalchurch #abandoned #desertedvillage #derelictplaces #derelictbuildings
Last week I was out and about in the Lincolnshire Wolds, which is an area of outstanding natural beauty in eastern England. It is a landscape of rolling chalk hills, with lots of little hidden valleys, in which nestle tiny hamlets and villages, with ancient churches in them. In the 13th century, this part of Lincolnshire was heavily populated, but the population has gradually sunk over the centuries due to changes in agricultural practice and the Wolds are full of deserted villages where people used to live - and they are fascinating to explore. Often only the church survives of a once thriving medieval village and an example of that is this place Sutterby - where a little church of Norman origin is really all that’s left of the village in this hidden valley - there is only a single farm here now. Many of these small churches on the Wolds have been lost and this church itself was nearly lost - it was made redundant in the 1970s and when I first knew it in the late 80s it was falling into dereliction. Here is a photo I took some years ago, pre-digital, of what the interior looked like. As you can see there is no floor, now pews, the place is damp as areas of the roof were gone and the place is boarded up. Then the very admirable charity the ‘Friends of Friendless Churches’ came to the rescue - the church has been restored and is cared for and it has become the focus of a local project called the Spirit of Sutterby. This is marvelous - these tiny little church buildings still have the power to inspire in the twenty-first century.
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[@stepps511]

The fact that there is a group of Friends of Friendless Churches is enough to cheer the soul. They've done wonderful work on this gem of a sacred space. Thank you for sharing it with us, and for your wonderful descriptions.

[@rhiannonpoole6019]

Thank you for that lovely video. Your presentation really made me feel I was in the church seeing the light and feeling the atmosphere.

[@YorkistRaven]

A sweet little church. The Friends of Friendless Churches will, I am sure, one day be lauded for saving these ancient churches. You have given us a charming tour of this precious little church. Thank you.

[@allanbarton]

My pleasure! So glad you enjoyed it.

[@nickimontie]

Your comment about the light made me realize how much thought and planning went into buildings before electricity. They had to make use of the natural surroundings and the angles of sunlight, at the same time creating a welcoming space for religious worship. Simply amazing!

[@4sstg]

What a precious little church, and worth saving.

[@allanbarton]

Very much so, so much deep history here.

[@jilltagmorris]

How marvelous to see see your picture from the 80s and now !

[@THINKincessantly]

🎃Just saying Howdy from East Texas...Quite enjoyable binging through your presentations, really enjoyed the mummy in the wall, that was perfect for the season of the Equinox 🎃 Always wanted to take a tour of English cathedrals but I must say its the English countryside and these lonely chapels and churches that hold most of the magic...Long and good health to you and all my brothers and sisters across the pond!

[@jonnaosborne7234]

Ditto from WEST Texas. 🤗

[@donnaorton9547]

Yes, to me so much better than those enormous cathedrals.

[@katrinarobin4034]

Howdy! I live in Lincolnshire, born and bred in Lincoln. There is a beautiful little church and a prefectory at a little village called Temple Bruer near Lincoln. It has connections to the Knights Templar. Well worth a visit if you ever make it to see Lincoln Cathedral.

[@prarieborn6458]

The mummy in the wall?

[@susanamal7418]

I'm originally from Lincolnshire and this has inspired me to look further into historical buildings there too, I have lived in London since my teens and through interior design work got involved in restoration of older buildings and saving interior arts and crafts as well as others who save the whole structure.

[@nadiabrook7871]

I've NEVER heard of Friends Of Friendless Churches!! I'm SOOOOOO glad that they exist though!!💚💖👍

[@allanbarton]

They are a great charity, they have rescued many churches that would otherwise have fallen into dereliction.

[@d14551]

i was imagining how this simple, lovely church would be the center of life for the people who lived in its village. Would there originally have been pews?

[@ludovica8221]

The churchyard looks interesting. I like the idea of the fruit wine

[@gingerninjawhinger9986]

What a beautiful little church. It is heartwarming to see that there are people out there who are prepared to put in the hard work needed to save such buildings as this church from wrack and ruin. I respect the sensitive restoration, but it does make me want to see it restored to its former, colourful glory, even if it is only in model format.

[@mitsunori222000]

Charming and informative.

[@annettewillis2797]

What a lovely, light filled space this little church has become! It's so wonderful and important that the Friends of Friendless churches took this medieval building on and that it was still extant enough to be preserved. Thanks for another insightful ramble Allan. All strength to you for further rambles!

[@ButterBobBriggs]

Love that little church. It might be off topic for the channel, but maybe a little video on how you make your wine would be interesting.

[@ChrisHunt4497]

How wonderful to find there is a Friends of Friendless Churches group. How sad there are friendless churches! This is a little jewel and as you say, the light is beautiful .Thank you for sharing.

[@deniseroe5891]

Lovely little church. Amazing, a Norman era building. Nothing in Texas, or America is that old. Love the Friends of Friendless Churches, made me smile.

[@deniseatkins9407]

How much has bee lost in a way what a cute little place

[@dianetheisen8664]

What a lovely church ⛪. The church ⛪ yard looked inviting as well. I caught a glimpse of headstones 🪦 that I would have loved a closer look. Maybe next time ⏰️, please ❓️

[@shellstars]

Yes. A closer look at the headstones would be nice.

[@astiwine2354]

Living on the other side of the Pond I find buildings so old absolutely fascinating. In almost all small towns here churches are built of wood, but often copy in wood the architecture found in the medieval churches in the UK and Europe. For whatever reason, Anglican churches seem to favour Gothic styles while Roman Catholic favour Romanesque - all executed in wood!

[@grumpynanny7402]

Lovely small church.

[@laurag7295]

Just lovely, thank you.

[@Bus_Driver_Jay]

What a beautiful little church! I'm glad it was spared the headsman's axe, so to speak. What is the churches link with the royal family, that led to the coat of arms being painted up on the wall? I wonder what could have been there before

[@allanbarton]

Now that is an interesting subject Jason - When the pre-Reformation rood crosses were removed at the Reformation it became the law that a representation of the Royal Arms was erected in their place - just to show who was in charge of the Church of England now.

[@Bus_Driver_Jay]

@@allanbarton oh was it that 'old'? For some reason I thought it was a newer painting.

[@allanbarton]

@@Bus_Driver_Jay I think this painting is probably the 18th century - they carried on being added and renewed until the 19th century.

[@prarieborn6458]

@@allanbarton “When the pre-Reformation rood crosses were removed at the Reformation……” Five hundred years later the shock waves are still reverberating when confronted with the desolation and destruction that was visited upon these poor churches and their mute, pathetic testimony of suffering and loss. Thank you for your work and sharing the beauty and charm of these old churches with us, and importantly, presenting in full view, the memory of the Holocaust that was the Reformation. It must never be forgotten.

[@UmvimvaniT]

How wonderful to be able to visit all these amazing old buildings/churches.

[@allanbarton]

I am very blessed to be able to do so, it is lovely to take you all with me.

[@katrinarobin4034]

Lovely vid. I live in S Lincs and shall def take a drive to find this little gem. Have you made a vid about Temple Bruer? Thank you x

[@bunnymomjulie6719]

From the "I love Lucy" show, "We are friends of the friendless, yes we are, yes we are ..." :) Amazing, how you can look at a carving of architectural elements and know what century they are from. (And, he makes wine, too, folks!) So glad I found this channel. You are a great teacher!

[@EllenCFarmGirl]

Just beautiful. What is it you smell? Love the wine detail at the end! ❤

[@Floortile]

Stow Minster will be coming up soon, I hope? I last visited eight years ago when the West oriel window had been blown out in a storm. I do hope the PCC has finally got proper grants from the Heritage Lottery, and others, for the conservation of a building known colloquially, I believe, as the ‘first’ Lincoln Cathedral.

[@allanbarton]

Hello Charles, I used to work at Stow Minster as Curate about 10-15 years ago. The church was then in the midst of a restoration campaign with heritage lottery support and all the roofs and rainwater goods were thankfully replaced in that campaign. Still lots to do. I will do a video tour there, but will probably wait until the Spring and some brighter weather at it is a dark building.

[@donnaorton9547]

Thank you again. These small churches are wonderful!

[@rodneyfrost1674]

Thank you for a lovely day out.

[@allanbarton]

My pleasure.

[@stephenburns3678]

Thank you.

[@buttercatpaws9674]

Very nice, sir. The visit transported me to your home, blessings from Memphis Tennessee USA 🐈🐾

[@angierucinski5694]

What a lovely old church. I remember spending time around the Lincolnshire Wolds and they really are very,,,,Woldy, aren't they?

[@memofromessex]

Such a beautiful little church! I would love to visit the Lincolnshire Wolds at some point and have an explore. Too often we are attracted by noise of the cities or the grandeur of vistas in Lake District or Cairngorms and forget to move slow and appreciate the smaller, more gentler things.

[@77heraclitus]

Another excellent and fascinating video! Thank you for creating and sharing, Dr. Barton.

[@allanbarton]

Much obliged, thanks for watching !

[@kathywolfe6606]

Lovely Little church.

[@penelopehammerton2907]

Loved this Church. A very remarkable font. Thank you for sharing. I have subscribed 🤗

[@allanbarton]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@alexandermenzies9954]

Hi Allan, what a treasure. I've not been to Sutterby (apart from a Google Street view just now) but I've visited the Wolds three or four times, mainly around Binbrook/Brookenby. Those visits were all related to the WW2 station for RAAF 460 Sqn where a close relative served on a Lancaster and did not return, KIA, after 4/9/1943. You have captured an atmosphere of St John's in a way I'm sure is very accurate; there is that feel of antiquity associated with ancient worship; the restoration is a great credit to those involved. Next time I'm over there it will be a must visit.

[@DanielaSordillo]

Allan, please teach us how to make hedgerow wine!!!

[@chcgo2undaground]

Allan, quick question...since you said that it was a 13th century Norman church, that would mean that it was still a consecrated Catholic church and if a priest wanted to say a Roman Mass in it, that would be entirely appropriately sacramental? Thanks.

[@dianetheisen8664]

Good question. Can you imagine getting married there ❓️. Count me in⛪️

[@alhilford2345]

It would no longer be consecrated though.

[@tomw5907]

Very nice video. Is there a cemetery there?

[@maryloumawson6006]

I think these little churches could make fine wedding venues for savvy caterers if they are restored to a more welcoming degree. I noticed in a few of your other videos that some of these ancient churches appear to be readying for a ceremony of some sort. Maybe a baptism or wedding, so perhaps this is already a thing? I was wondering if you've ever tried to identify churches featured in movies such as Sense and Sensibility, Downton Abbey, Four Weddings and a Funeral etc. I think it would make a fantastic video to identify the churches in the various films and talk about their history.

[@darrenhancock8027]

Yay not far from me 🙂

[@garethluvsthetruth6782]

no invite to the wine party?

[@dianetheisen8664]

🥂

[@newshound64]

You said that it was originally was a Norman church. I would suggest that you might edit you video to show what you see that is Norman. Thank you.

[@allanbarton]

I don't show the one piece of 12th-century work that is surviving (apart from the stonework), which is the blocked north door which can only be seen from the exterior. It was a touch overgrown to record there.

[@borderlands6606]

The Lincolnshire Wolds has a lost-in-time feel rare in modern Britain. The Yorkshire Wolds has a similar psycho-geology.

[@martinoban]

Many of these medieval villages were effectively abandoned after the Black Death.

[@allanbarton]

They were - there are a string of abandoned villages just to the north if Louth on what is known as the Barton Street. There is Beesby, whose village went in the Black Death and its church in the 15th century. It was amalgamated with Hawerby, which is similarly depopulated and now its church is redundant. It has been a long process of contraction.

[@EnqlishRoses69]

Enjoy your wine.

[@allanbarton]

Thank you 😆

[@Johnburggy]

This is a wonderful little Church. Many years ago I was able to visit but you could not get in & it was falling down I was a small boy then & we had come to buy some farm macinery nearby. I asked the kind Farmer if I could go and look at it. There was no access at that time & you had to cross his fields. Please visit if your in the area & help Friends of Friendless Churches in there work in restoring these Churches. Here it is wonderful to remember the faithful who at one time worshiped here. There homes might have long gone But now there place of worship has risen again . This liittle Church speaks of the Christian message of a better life & place for all that believe .

[@wilhelminamarquart240]

My best friend Rick lives here this is beautiful ❤ thank you for this amazing video I have subscribed

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed this, thanks for subscribing!

[@hugostieglitz238]

Absolutely beautiful. I was born and bred in the county and I love it here.. The Achilles heel is Boston.. shame, as that was once a lovely place to be.