St. Andrew's Abbey Church

The church of St Andrew's, known as Sempringham Abbey, stands in isolation on undulating ground overlooking fenland to the east.

Sempringham was a thriving village in medieval times, but the parish church is all that remains of that original village - modern Sempringham being a hamlet leading to the fen.

Approximately 300 yards to the south of the church is the site of the Gilbertine Priory - there are nothing above ground to show where this extensive building stood.

St Andrews is home to a working peel of 6 bells

They are regularly used by both the local ringers and the peal ringers of the Southern branch of the Lincoln Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers

Visiting bands are welcome:- Bell Ringing Contact - Mr Chris Lambert calambert@btinternet.com

St Andrews is a medieval church and was the home to the only Native English Saint to found a Religious Order - Saint Gilbert. Whilst always separate from the huge Sempringham Priory that St. Gilbert founded - he did live at St Andrews Abbey Church during the early years of his ministry and hence its' very special interest both as a place of pilgrimage and tourism. Sempringham is well known as being the birthplace of St. Gilbert, founder of the religious Order of Gilbertines, the only English monastic order. He was the eldest son of a Norman knight and Chaplain to Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, who ordained him priest.

Incomplete archaeological excavations in 1938-9 revealed that the original twelfth century Priory church extended to 325 feet in length and 93 feet in width.

St Andrew's also has historical links to Princess Gwenllian and the USA. Further details can be found here.