Gainsborough also known as Stow in Lindsey. Minutes: Volume 34 pages 27,101, Volume 35 page 351 No plan exists in the archive
c 950 Earliest church and burials.
STOW BY GAINSBOROUGH, St. Mary the Virgin (1963-1964) Parish of STOW BY GAINSBOROUGH, Lincoln diocese ICBS 11867 Folios ff.39-49 Grant Reason: Repairs Outcome: Approved. Professionals BOND, Lawrence Henry: b. 1909 - d. 1993 of Grantham (Architect). For roof repairs.
1066-88: Norman Conquest, Stow St Mary in the hands of the Bishop at the time of the Domesday survey. Value in 1066 £32, in 1086 £30. Households: 20 villagers. 3 freemen. 1 priest. 4 ploughlands.
c1050: Building on the present plan has been built and is a Minster.
1091-94: Declining Minster briefly refounded and rebuilt(?) as Benedictine Abbey by Bishop Remigius, then becomes parish church.
From the above one can note that some of the most celebrated architects of the 19th and 20th centuries have worked on this fine church.
Mid 12th century: nave and chancel rebuilt. 13thcentury: New font and windows.
There were further major repair works. In 2008/2009 with the help of James Robertson Challenge Fund of the WMF, English Heritage, National Churches Trust and WREN the north and south transept roofs were repaired and re-leaded. The chancel roof has just been repaired in 2011/2012 with funds provided by the Lay Rectors, the Church Commissioners and English Heritage.
15th century: Restoration, and tower rebuilt. 1536-40: Reformation, destruction of wall paintings, glass etc. 1685: Tower repaired, restoration and changes to interior – preaching box. 18th century: Reordering and refurnishing of interior with box pews and galleries.
Timeline: Summary of the salient dates in the development of the church.
1848-78: Alterations and restoration by J L Pearson.
c 100 Some form of Roman settlement - possibly a villa – at Stow.
1927: Repairs and changes to interior. c 300 A Christian community and church? No firm evidence.
1963-4: Repairs. 1983 Repairs. Excavations on north side find porticus of earlier church
c 420 Roman troops leave Britain – could a church have continued in use? No proof.
2008-9: Repairs of north and south transept roofs with WMF and EH money.
c 900 Saxon settlement in Stow suggested by finds from the churchyard
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