James Conway Walter

“ In the eastern part of the churchyard lie the remains of four successive vicars of Horncastle, and the wife of a fifth. A coffin-shaped stone, adorned with a full-length floriated cross, has this inscription: "Thomas James Clarke, M.A., Vicar of Horncastle, died 14th May, 1853. Is any among you afflicted, let him pray." ”

“ In the latter years of the amiable vicar, Dr. Madely, he needed an active assistant, and such was the Rev. William Spranger White, of Trinity College, Cambridge, a member of a family of position, the head of which was his uncle. Sir Thomas Wollaston White, of Wallingwells Park, Worksop, High Sheriff 1839, and formerly of the 10th Hussars. Mr. White possessed independent means and was very generous He was of a most sympathetic nature, and became greatly beloved by all classes. He worked hard in the parish from his ordination in 1833 to 1849. ”

“ T. J. Clarke, in whose vicariate, as has been stated, the church was built. The subjects are, running across and in the centre, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and Transfiguration; above being the Resurrection, and Christ sitting in glory; and in the lower row, our Lord as the Good Shepherd, the Man of sorrows and the Light of the world.
In the chancel walls, north and south, are triple windows in the same style, but with plain columns and white glass. Below the east window is a stone Reredos, having four panels with decorated arches on each side, north and south ”

“ The roof is of a very high pitch, slated externally, and internally of deeply stained deal. The principals of the chancel roof are ornamented with deeply cut dog-tooth pattern. The choir is rather narrow, and without aisles. At the east end of the north aisle is the vestry, the doorway leading to it having a richly carved arch, supported by twin pilasters, with carved capitals; the porch doorway has also a richly carved arch, with dog-tooth moulding, and clusters of pillars below. ”

“ At that time there was a numerous community of country clergymen living in the town; a dozen, or more, villages in the neighbourhood having no official residence in their parishes; thus a Clerical Club became a convenient institution for social intercourse, and valuable papers were often read at their meetings. ”

“ Clarke's arrival in Horncastle it was felt that a new era in church life had begun. He threw himself with characteristic energy into every kind of work, and at one time had 3 curates. To him was due the erection of Holy Trinity Church, and a great multiplication of Church services. The old vicarage, a poor house close to St. Mary's churchyard, was pulled down, and he rented the house in South Street, with extensive gardens, which afterwards became the residence of Major Armstrong and now occupied by Mrs. ”

“ Clarke's death, and afterwards Rector of Little Cawthorpe near Louth.
An upright stone, the head forming an inverted overhanging arch, ornamented with dog-tooth pattern (copied from a panel in the church pulpit) , has the inscription: "W. H. Milner, Vicar of Horncastle, died October 3rd, 1868, aged 64." Within the arch is a Calvary Cross, on the steps of which are these words "He that believeth in Me hath everlasting life." On the base, of the stone is a quotation from the Burial Service," Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, &c." ”

“ F. Bell & Son, of Horncastle. The Reredos was due to a movement originating with the Girls' Club, then under the management of Miss Agnes Armstrong; assisted by contributions from members of the choir, a considerable sum of money being raised by them, for altar frontals and other fittings in the chancel. These, and other additions, were dedicated by the late vicar. Prebendary E. F. Quarrington, on All Saints' day, Nov. 1, 1895.
The Organ, on the north side of the choir, is a good instrument. In the early days of the church an old organ was transferred from St. ”