For this church:

Introduction

Location

History

Archaeology

Contacts

Fittings

Glass

Organ

Bells

Clock

Stonework

Monuments

War Memorial

Churchyard

References

Pictures

Plans

Listing Description

List of Incumbents

Cromwell
St Giles

Stonework

The exterior stonework of the church is chiefly ashlar blocks of ‘skerry’ (Dolomitic) sandstone, Magnesian limestone and Lincolnshire limestone. The north side of the church consists of a jumbled arrangement of Lincolnshire limestone. The majority of stones come from quarries in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Skerry blocks

The tower and east end of the church is made of large pale grey blocks of Dolomitic ‘skerry’ sandstone. This stone is hard and difficult to work and is resistant to weathering. The stone may have come from local quarries such as Tuxford, Maplebeck, Laxton or Kneesall. It has not been available for over 100 years.

The following stones are also found:

Rubble

Lincolnshire limestone

Lincolnshire limestone (Middle Jurassic) jumbled in the north wall, east end, the tower string course, north buttress and vestry. The replacement pillar in the south doorway is made of this stone.

Lias

Lias (Lower Jurassic limestone) in small quantities in the inserts in the doorway on the south side of the chancel. This may have come across the river from Collingham. It is also found in Newark Friary.

Tufa

Tufa is found in the west end of the south aisle. It is porous and light and is likely to have been found locally. It can still be found along the Beck between Norwell and Caunton and is used abundantly in Caunton church.

Wall coping

Churchyard

Most of the headstones are made of Mansfield limestone, although a few are made of slate. The churchyard wall is made of ‘skerry’ blocks and Lincolnshire limestone. These are likely to have been re-used. Note the presence of hogback stones forming some of the coping which may date to the earliest days of the church.

With thanks to Dr Graham Lott for his help with identifying the stones.