"This Grade I listed church is noted in particular for its association with and memorials to the Harlaxton Manor Gregory and de Ligne families, c.1410, effigies of Sir Richard Rickhill and his wife, Elizabeth, and the church's 19th-century restoration by John Oldrid Scott."
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"HARLAXTON appears in ?the Domesday Book as HERLAVESTUNE from a Danish or Norse name of HEORLAFS’TON
The ownership of the Manor of Harlaxton can be traced back to Maud (Matilda), the only surviving child of Henry 1st and a grand-daughter of William the Conqueror. In 1126 she granted some of the land in her Lordship of the Soke of Grantham, to William of Tancarville in return for his promise to provide ten knights for military service. Each knight was to receive a parcel of land, and some of these were in Harlaxton.
In 1174 the manor in Harlaxton was held by William de Mortuo Mari (Mortimer). As the first Rector, Alanus, dates from 1185, it can be assumed that Mortimer built the Church between 1174 and 1185. This guide first appeared in 1985 and is thus appearing on approximately the 800th anniversary of the building of the ?rst Church in Harlaxton.
Other families to hold the Manor during these 800 years include the names of Swynford, Ricard, Bluett, de Ligne, Gregory, Sherwin-Gregory and Pearson-Gregory. In more recent years the Manor has been used by Mrs. Van der Elst, The Jesuit Order, Stanford University of California, and at the present time by Evansville University of Indiana.
The Church was originally dedicated to Saint Andrew, but early in the 16th Century it was changed to its present dedication. There have been numerous changes in the building over the past eight centuries.
The different parts of the present building were probably erected in the following order :—
North Arcade (left as you face the Altar) of the nave about 1175
South Arcade of the nave and parts of the south aisle (and a porch) were added between 1175 and 1225
The three lower stages of the tower about 1325
South Arcade of the chancel and the two south chapels between 1325 and 1350.
The fourth stage of the tower and the clerestory about 1380
East wall of the chancel 1400
North Arcade of the chancel, the north chapel and the later north aisle (replacing the earlier narrower one) between 1420 and 1450
The staircase to the rood loft, about 1500
A new porch was built in 1858
The Church was restored in 1890-1891"
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