St Denys' Church, Sleaford

St Denys' Church, Sleaford, is a medieval parish church in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. While a church and a priest are likely to have been present in the settlement since approximately 1086, the oldest parts of the present building are the tower and spire. The tower and spire can be dated to the late 12th and early 13th centuries; the stone broach spire is one of the earliest examples of its kind in England. The Decorated Gothic nave, aisles and north transept were built in the 14th century. The church was altered in the 19th century: the north aisle was rebuilt by the local builders Kirk and Parry in 1853 and the tower and spire were largely rebuilt in 1884 after being struck by lightning. St Denys' remains in use for worship by the Church of England. The church is a Grade I listed building, a national designation given to "buildings of exceptional interest". The architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner stated it is "remembered for the flowing tracery of its windows". Built out of Ancaster stone with a lead roof, St Denys' is furnished with a medieval rood screen and a communion rail, possibly by Sir Christopher Wren, and has a peal of eight bells, dating to 1796. The church also houses several memorials, including two altar tombs commemorating members of the Carre family, Sleaford's Lords of the Manor in the 17th century.

St Denys' Church, Sleaford, is a medieval parish church in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. While a church and a priest are likely to have been present in the settlement since approximately 1086, the oldest parts of the present building are the tower and spire. The tower and spire can be dated to the late 12th and early 13th centuries; the stone broach spire is one of the earliest examples of its kind in England. The Decorated Gothic nave, aisles and north transept were built in the 14th century. The church was altered in the 19th century: the north aisle was rebuilt by the local builders Kirk and Parry in 1853 and the tower and spire were largely rebuilt in 1884 after being struck by lightning. St Denys' remains in use for worship by the Church of England. The church is a Grade I listed building, a national designation given to "buildings of exceptional interest". The architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner stated it is "remembered for the flowing tracery of its windows". Built out of Ancaster stone with a lead roof, St Denys' is furnished with a medieval rood screen and a communion rail, possibly by Sir Christopher Wren, and has a peal of eight bells, dating to 1796. The church also houses several memorials, including two altar tombs commemorating members of the Carre family, Sleaford's Lords of the Manor in the 17th century.