The church of St Giles, Holme, is the featured church for June 2022. The village of Holme is located on the east bank of the River Trent, about 5 km north of Newark.
According to Pevsner the church is ‘one of the most remarkable churches in the county’, because most of the fabric dates from the Early Tudor period (the north wall and tower are 13th century). It consists of a west tower with low-broach spire, nave, south aisle with porch and south chapel, and chancel. It was sensitively restored by the architect R. Harley Smith and Nevil Truman.
The church was rebuilt by John Barton, a Lancashire man whose wealth derived from the wool trade, who died in 1491 and is buried inside. His monument is in two tiers, ‘the upper tier with carved effigies of John and his wife Isabella is supported by depressed arches, below and lying within the arches is a cadaver.’
The east window was originally full of medieval stained glass but by the 20th century it was in a deplorable state. In the 1930s the glass was restored and re-set in the window under the supervision of Nevil Truman who also restored the east window of the Lady Chapel which contains medieval glass depicting several Old Testament Prophets.
The benches (many with poppy-heads) and screens also date from the late 15th century as does the simple font.
The pulpit incorporates Jacobean panels from Caunton church.
Further information on this church is available from the Southwell & Nottingham Church History Project website.