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Church of the Month (August 2022)

The former church of St Giles, Darlton, is the featured church for August 2022. Darlton is 10 km (6.3 miles) south-east of Retford. The church closed for worship in 2006.

The church comprises a west tower, nave, north aisle, north vestry and chancel. 

The tower is of three stages and is unbuttressed. The south door with two slim engaged columns and waterleaf capitals that support a moulded arch with a dogtooth hood mould probably dates to c1180-1200; the tower is likely to be of a similar date.

The nave and aisles were restored by Hine and Evans in 1855 who also added a low pyramidal roof to the tower. Additional work was undertaken in the early 1860s when the vicar funded further restoration of the nave and aisle, the removal of the brick-built south porch and the construction of a new chancel.

The north arcade has octagonal piers and double-chamfered arches and was built in the 14th century.

There are two piscinas in the chancel: the one in the north wall is 13th century and has a foiled head; the piscina in the south wall has a plain arched head.

The stained glass in the east window is by William Wailes and depicts Christ seated in majesty with the four apostles ranged either side, all with crocketed canopies above and angels with harps below the seated figure of Christ. It was installed in 1863.

Until the church closed in 2006 there were two fine early 16th century brass figures mounted on the north wall of the chancel. One is of a man in armour, the other his lady. They may represent Sir William Mering and his wife who lived at Kingshaugh Manor which is a short distance from Darlton. The brasses can now be seen at East Drayton church.

Thanks to Dr Chris Brooke for the photograph.

Further information on the church can be found at the Southwell and Nottingham Church History Project website.