St Andrew’s Church, Ewerby

St Andrew’s Church at Ewerby, in the county of Lincolnshire, is a very interesting old church dating to the early fourteenth century. It has a number of curious features which make it more unusual than some of its neighbours. So old are some of the pews that they can no longer bear weight, and signs advise visitors and worshippers not to put them to the test.

The font is of a fine, Decorated style, yet it sits upon what appears to be its predecessor, an almost equally fine Norman font bowl. Rather than get rid of a fine feature, the fourteenth-century church functionaries decided to recycle and reuse the one they were replacing. Good for them.

A gravestone belonging to one Edward Newlove, dated ‘December Ye 18 1678’ explains that he is still ‘Remembered by Me Elizabath his Dear And Loving Wife’. In an age when many married for money and convenience, this marriage was loving, and surely made Edward’s funeral the more painful. Let us hope they both trusted Christ and now share together His embrace.

In the north part of the chancel is a recumbent effigy of Sir Alexander Aunsell, the knight who founded the church. His arms have been broken off, and his feet, resting on a little lion, have also managed to disappear. Let us hope that he, too, trusted the real Jesus, and not the ceremonies and rites of the Roman Church in which he was raised. Had he placed his hope in priestcraft and his own merit, it will be more than arms and feet he loses.

The most curious feature, however, is modern. Atop the altar, the cross, candlesticks and brass vases are all covered in plastic bags, and the eagle-shaped lectern, too. I am guessing that they have bats dwelling in their rafters, a difficult issue which many churches must accommodate. Their urine is corrosive and damges metalwork in particular. In order to protects the brasses, the church wardens have wisely sought to keep them covered between services.

Throughout the history of the Christian church, the corrosive influences of doubt, idolatry, persecution and worldliness have sought to damage our witness and testimony. May we protect the great and sacred truths which have been vouchsafed to us; this century will see false religion flourish and secularist intolerance intensify; may we protect and guard that which is noble and true.

At the sign of triumph
Satan's host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise!

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!

S. Baring-Gould, 1865