Elston

All Saints

Newark Archdeaconry

Newark and Southwell Deanery

Introduction

There is no mention of a church here in Elston in Domesday.

The tall, slim, only slightly buttressed 13th century tower appears to be the oldest part of the building. The church is of stone, in Gothic style, consisting of a chancel, nave with arcades of 4 bays, north and south aisles and an embattled west tower with pinnacles, clock and 6 bells.

The Perpendicular clerestory and aisles were restored in 1827, 1859 and 1882. In 1859 the chancel was renovated and fitted with oak stalls and an organ.

Visitors often come to see the mural monuments to the Darwin family. (Also some for the Lascelles.) Several are by Wallis of Newark (1789-1816); and three by Tyley of Bristol, for 3 Darwin children who died aged 13, 14 and 15 in the 1830s, are of good quality, as is the tablet to Elizabeth Hill Darwin, (d1827) by Taylor of York.

There are several memorial windows: the stained east window for F Darwin’s wife (d1886), another for R A Darwin in the north wall of the chancel (d1888) and three more inserted by Mrs Darwin in 1913.

Particular thanks to Tim Southall and Robin Campbell for research on this entry
and to Geoff Buxton for the photographs.