St. Benedict's Church, Lincoln is an ancient church in Lincoln which is mentioned in 1107 and before the English Civil War was the Lincoln Civic Church. It was extensively destroyed in the Civil War, and was only partially restored. The tower was re-built imitating the other late Saxon towers in Lincoln. All that survives is the present nave, which was the chancel of the former church' and the chapel to the north built by Robert Tattershall in 1378. The church's bell known as Old Kate, was cast in 1585 and paid for by the Lincoln Barber's Surgeons Company. The church was closed in 1931 and demolition was proposed. However, following a public outcry, the church was saved as the result of an appeal and renovation work undertaken. It is now the headquarters of the Lincoln Diocese Mothers' Union. It is open to the public on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 2:30 pm.
The parish was one of the smaller parishes in Lincoln. In the general re-organisation of the Lincoln parishes which took place in 1553, part of the parish of St John's was amalgamated with St Benedict's parish.
On Padley's large scale map of 1842, the parish is shown as extending from the Brayford Pool on the west to Sincil Street on the east. It included the length of the High Street from just north of the River Witham and the High Bridge to the Cornhill to the south.
These include a late 17th-century octagonal panelled oak pulpit and an 18th-century eggcup font with swags and square stem. A Royal Coat of Arms of 1734, was repainted in 1819, with the churchwardens' names. A brass with weepers, 1687, scrolled cartouche with arms and cherubs, 1739, and a memorial to the noted Lincoln architect William Adams Nicholson of 1853.
Former Church, now the offices of the Lincoln Diocesan Mothers' Union. C13 and early C14. Nave and north aisle demolished, and west tower built from old materials, mid C17. Restored and converted to secular use, 1931. Coursed rubble, dressed stone and brick, with ashlar dressings and plain tile roof. West tower, nave and north aisle.
EXTERIOR: square west tower, 2 stages, has renewed rendered plinth, quoins, single string course, eaves band with remains of gargoyles, plain parapet and corner piers. To south, a C17 studded door with wooden lintel. Above it, a mask corbel. To west, 2 small square windows. Second stage has on each side a double round headed opening with reused central mullion. South side, 4 bays, has a central buttress, incomplete sill and impost bands, and mask corbel table. To the left, a small Decorated 2-light window. Above and to the right, three 3-light pointed arched windows, all C14, restored. To right again, a C13 lancet with hoodmould. East end has flanking buttresses and a round headed blocked door. Above it, a 5-light window with flowing tracery and hoodmould. At the west end, a blocked four-centred arch and a 3-light pointed arched window, C14. North aisle, 3 bays, has brick parapet and 3 buttresses. At the west end, the remains of a demolished gable. North side has to west a Perpendicular style window, 3 lights, with hoodmould and stops. West end has a Decorated style 3-light window with ogee headed lights. East end has a similar window with four-centred arched head, hoodmould and mask stops.
INTERIOR has, below the tower, a C17 cleft ladder. North arcade, C13, 2 bays, has an octagonal pier with 2 remaining round shafts, and half-octagonal responds, all with stiff leaf capitals. Double roll moulded arches on nave side, with hoodmoulds. To east, a doorway, C17, with a studded door. South side and east end have incomplete sill bands. South side has to east a C13 double piscina, and to west a cusped ogee headed tomb recess with mask and beast finials. At the west end, a moulded blocked arch. Much altered double purlin common rafter roof. North aisle has blocked double chamfered arch at west end with a fielded panelled door and inscription, 1952. East end has a moulded plinth and sill band to south, and a door to north, with above it a blocked C13 lancet with hoodmould. Low pitched double purlin roof with arch braces, wall shafts and mask corbels.
FITTINGS include a C17 octagonal panelled oak pulpit, altered C19, on a reused panelled octagonal stone base. Late C18 eggcup font with swags and square stem. Royal arms, 1734, repainted 1819, with the churchwardens' names.
MEMORIALS include a brass with weepers, 1687, scrolled cartouche with arms and cherubs, 1739. Tablet, 1853, to William Nicholson, RIBA. Several C18 and C19 tablets.