Hawton

All Saints

Newark Archdeaconry

Newark and Southwell Deanery

Introduction

Little more than two miles south of Newark, and near the little river Devon, the tower of Hawton’s All Saints Church, with its eight pinnacles, can be seen from some distance across the fields. The oldest part of the church, the north arcade, is late 13th century, the south arcade is early 14th century whilst the clerestory and the tower were built in 1482 at the expense of Sir Thomas Molyneux. The church was restored by the architect James Fowler of Louth in 1879-80.

The existence of a comparatively large church containing high quality carvings in such a small village is something of a mystery. Some authorities have surmised that the masons who built the chancel with its magnificent Easter Sepulchre, sedilia and great east window may also have worked on Southwell Minster and that the plan for Hawton was for it to become a collegiate foundation.

Pevsner described the chancel as 'one of the most exciting pieces of architecture in the country.'

Particular thanks to Anita Maunsell and Andy Nicholson for research on this entry,
and to Bill and Jane Paulson and Geoff Buxton for photographs