All Saints Church, Gainsborough

A lovely Georgian town church in classical style standing amidst manicured lawns. The church was built by Francis Smith, a Warwick architect who took inspiration from Wren's church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London. You can see another example of Smith's classical church work in All Saints, Derby.

The earlier medieval church was completely renovated, save only the west tower, which is a lovely example of Perpendicular Gothic style. The subdued exterior does not prepare you for the light and delicate interior, with its pastel walls and painted ceiling.

There is a central nave and aisles, the latter surmounted by raised galleries supported on huge rounded columns. The ground floor is filled with row upon row of box pews, above which hang gilded chandeliers. The most remarkable aspect of the interior is the rich colouring, so much at odds with most older medieval churches we can visit today, where the medieval painting has largely worn away. By contrast, All Saints is colourful, but in a gentle way, with soft gold, lilac, and cream colouring.

I must confess that I am not a big fan of Georgian churches, being far more inclined towards the medieval architecture so frequently found in English parish churches, but Gainsborough is a pleasing church, with a spacious interior and lovely furnishings. A very short walk away is Gainsborough Old Hall, a delightful Tudor town house.

The classically inspired apse of All Saints