North Cotes Coates Church St Nicholas ~ History
St Nicholas Church, North Cotes in Lincolnshire
A visitors guide
The church at North Cotes was rebuilt in1865, by our old friend James Fowler, although some of the earlier build has been retained and much of the old stone was reused. Some of the Early English style medieval building that remains can be seen around the south doorway and the bays in the north arcade.
The font is 13th century and there is the base of the ancient graveyard cross in the churchyard.
Interestingly, Arthur Mee states that there is a modern cross made from an aeroplane propeller which serves as a memory to lost airmen during the war.
You might have noticed the variant spelling in this article, my references seem split down the middle as to whether the A should be in Cotes or not - so we’ve got both !
There is some nice stained glass which includes several memorials, namely to the Parker-Holt family, Robert Plumptre (a former vicar), John Portass (a former parish clerk and James Osbourne who showed great courage and sadly drowned whilst trying to save his friend
North Coates Church
We’d like to find out more about this church, the site, it’s history, any stories, myths or anecdotes so if you do know anything at all about relating to this church please do leave a comment - likewise if it’s familiar to you or you simply have fond memories.
All the best
Rod
Karen Glass said,
September 25, 2010 @ 4:46 pm
Rod,
Thank you for devoting so much time and effort on this wonderful, informative, and most interesting website. This is the first time I’ve been here…I was directed to it through a link given on the Lincolnshire mailList. Congratulations on this fine site of not only churches, but of other information such as the Leper Hospital mystery house.
North Coates Church - You mentioned a John PORTASS as the parish clerk… was he the one who was saved from drowning or do you know if both drowned? I would like to know a few more details about that instance. I am researching the PORTAS family history and this family from North Coates is part of my direct line of research. John is my 4x great uncle. I found this little note on the parish record page showing his burial date:
“found at the bottom of parish record page 45 1889
The small dwelling lately occupied by John Portass was taken down on the 12th of August 1890. The value of the materials was under ten shillings. It is thus described in the Tarrin. [?] “The Parsonage House or rather one cottage consisting of only two small rooms and a little out shot. The walls are of clay & covered with straw.” - T.R.M. [T.R. Matthews, Rector]”
John was buried 23 Dec 1889. His wife Sarah (neé NEELSON) was bur. 1877.
Rod said,
September 25, 2010 @ 6:58 pm
Hi Karen,
thanks for the comment, pleased you found us and welcome to the site.
I don’t know about the drowning but I’ll see if I can find anything as I’m sure others who read your comment will do if they can help
Thanks and regards
Rod
History Hunter said,
September 26, 2010 @ 4:44 pm
Oh Dear Lord (and NO I am not refering to you Rod), Karen mentioned THAT thread! I thought it was dead and buried (metaphorically) but she went and mentioned the Leper Hospital mystery house. I thought i had finally got over the sleepless nights and the nervous tic i acquired while trying to take in all the information.
Its a good job it didnt flare up my £Ω≠#&¥§ Tourettes again!
Brian Carlick said,
April 4, 2011 @ 9:22 pm
I have just been given (from a church near Oxford) a copy of a volume of organ music entitled “The Village Organist” A series of Short Easy Voluntaries, written expressly for this work by eminent composers, edited by T Richard Matthews B A Rector of North Coates, Great Grimsby. It contains a notice stating: The profits on this work are devoted to the North Coates School Building Fund. The volume contains many anglican chants and short works among others by well-known victorian composers such as Stainer, Dykes, Elvey, Chipp, Spark and Ouseley
The hymn tune “North Coates” (by Timothy Richard Matthew 1826-1910) is of course well-known for the words “O my saviour lifted”( W W How), and appears in many hymn books.
Rod said,
April 5, 2011 @ 8:17 am
Brian,
thanks for getting that on the record, really appreciated and welcome to the site.
This is just the sort of information we love here
All the best
Rod
Brian O'Connor said,
July 10, 2011 @ 7:23 pm
I attended the church on 6th July 2011 for the funeral of my uncle Terence O’Connor, formerly of seawall lane.
A beautiful church and a wonderful service.
Rod said,
September 30, 2011 @ 6:48 pm
Picture Update:
Karen said,
January 12, 2012 @ 4:50 pm
Rod, do you happen to have an image of the interior of this church? BTW, I love that “update” b/w image!
Rod said,
January 12, 2012 @ 5:44 pm
Hi Karen,
thank you and welcome to the site - I’m afraid not, it was locked when I went, sorry about that
Regards,
Rod