Silk Willoughby Tower

The tower at St Denis’ Church at Silk Willoughby, Lincolnshire, is said to be one of the finest in the county. The Venerable Edward Trollope, Archdeacon of Stow, wrote in 1872:

"The distant effect of the tower and spire of this church...is perfect, and continues to be nearly so when viewed more closely, and even critically examined…He who erected this tower...must assuredly have been a master of his art, and we can still perceive how boldly he could design, and how freely he could execute what he had conceived."

He thought that the original builder did not live to see the spire completed as "a great change is apparent in the character of its uppermost features, which must surely have been added by a far more feeble hand." (quoted in St Denis: A Guide).

I have less expertise in the art of tower building than the venerable old gent, for it all looks rather fine to me. But his keen eye could evidently detect changes in the quality, and therefore workmanship. We may sometimes assess our Christian lives and levels of sanctification and wonder at our meagre progress. Yet Paul writes to the Philippians:

And I am persuaded of this same thing, that he that hath begun this good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ… Philippians 1:6 (Geneva)

Although we are not as holy, righteous and loving as we are called to be, we are not the finished product. He has not given up on us, and neither shall He do so. No feeble hand shall have the final say; the work begun at our conversion shall be continued till we reach the very threshold of glory.