St Martin’s Church

St Martin’s Church was founded by the 12th century. It was entirely rebuilt in the Perpendicular style in the 15th century.

The North Chapel houses the tombs of the Cecil family, including monuments to Sir Richard Cecil, William Cecil, first Lord Burghley, and John Cecil, 5th Earl of Exeter.

The church was restored over the course of the nineteenth century, with a new nave roof, lowered floor, extended Burghley Chapel, as well as new oak pews, pulpit, bells and organ.

The majority of the mediaeval coloured glass was bought by the Earl of Exeter from the Church of the Holy Trinity at Tattershall in 1754. The eastern window shows both Old and New Testament images: Moses striking the rock, Samson at the gates of Gaza, David slaying Goliath, the Crucifixion, the three Maries at the Tomb and the Resurrection.

Properly it is the Church of St Martin Without, Stamford Baron.

Burials include Dutch portrait painter William Wissing (1687), in the churchyard, and perhaps the most famous Stamfordian of all, Daniel Lambert (1809), in the detached part of the churchyard.

The church has an organ by Bevington dating from 1880. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.

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