St Cecilia's History

EAST TRENT CHURCHES
Besthorpe, Clifton, Collingham,
Girton, Harby, Holme, Langford, South Scarle, Thorney, Winthorpe

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St. Cecilia's Church, Girton
(By Di Smith)

Girton is a Saxon settlement. Evidence of early Christian presence can be seen in the grave cross now situated in the south porch, dating from around 800 A.D.. This is thought to be the oldest ecclesiastical item found in Nottinghamshire. Girton has been prone to flooding and the church has provided refuge for people driven from their homes.

The church is the only one dedicated to St. Cecilia in the diocese of Southwell. It has long been associated with the parish of South Scarle and Besthorpe, whose clergy have been responsible for the parish. Since 1986 it has been part of the United Benefice.

The church was rebuilt in 1876. Before this, the church consisted of a nave probably erected around 1200 and a small brick chancel added in the early 1800s. This chancel was removed and a new larger one of stone, connected to the nave by a fine arch, was built by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

Of the old nave, the south remains almost intact internally. The north wall of the nave was completely rebuilt, and its old windows reinserted.The old brick south porch was replaced by one of stone and open woodwork. The flat ceiling of plaster was replaced by the pitched roof with the stone bellcote at the east end. The bell cast by Humphrey Wilkinson of Lincoln in c.1700, is the only example of this work in the diocese.

More recent restoration work was completed in 1987. Work was done on the chancel stonework and the church rewired and fitted with lights from St. Stephen’s, Brough. The interior was redecorated and the sanctuary reordered. In 1989, A wooden font cover was crafted in the village and donated to the church and new kneelers were designed and made by villagers. The tradition of craftsmanship dedicated to the church was continued in 1998 when the green altar frontal was completed and outside a new churchyard wall was built and iron railings donated.

A notable event on the church calendar is the annual celebration of harvest thanksgiving, when, following a service in St. Cecilia’s, the congregation retires to the village hall for the harvest supper after which all the donated produce is auctioned off, with the proceeds going towards the maintenance of the church.

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