TF0516 : St Andrew's Church: South Arcade
taken 8 years ago, near to Witham on The Hill, Lincolnshire, England
St Andrew's is a foundation going back to Saxon times, with a church mentioned in the Domesday book, but the earliest traces found now are of the late 12th century foundation: there is a Norman arch on the entrance, and a Norman pillar is preserved next to the altar, for example.
Repairs and modifications occurred in nearly every intervening century, with the roof dating from 1818 and a major Victorian restoration by G Gilbert Scott Jr in 1873/74, leaving the interior we see today. The Pews and other woodwork date from 1907, and the rood screen and chancel furniture from 1910. The organ, replacing one of 1874, was installed in 1946.
The original tower - wherever it may have been located - collapsed in 1736, and the guide book tells an amusing story about the bell ringers escaping doom because they lingered in the pub for an extra beer. The replacement is in an unusual location next to the southern wall, and was erected in 1738 to the designs of Stamford Architect George Portwood. Pevsner was rather sniffy about the design, which does seem to be a pastiche of various medieval elements.
There are 6 bells in the old concert key of F, variously recast in 1831 and 1962.
There is a guide book sold in the church by the village Historical society, and also available on line with better illustrations at Link
The building is grade I listed by Historic England, see Link
Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.
In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest.
There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.
In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.
In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)
Read more at Wikipedia Link