The Abbey Church

THE SAXONS almost certainly had a church in Bourne but no trace of it remains and the Abbey Church which survives today was founded by the Lord of the Manor, Baldwin Fitzgilbert, around 1138. He envisaged a grander building with twin towers to demonstrate his Christian faith although the work was delayed and remained unfinished until many years later. It was originally used as a monastery for a group of twelve French Augustinian monks but was never rich or important.

The abbey was extensively damaged during the reign of Henry VIII who ordered all monastic buildings to be pulled down between 1536 and 1540. This was known as the dissolution when the lead was taken off the roofs and all images removed but the walls were left standing although in the years that followed, some restoration was carried out but it was not until the 19th century that major alterations were made to the building.

The work completed during this period was paid for by the people, mainly Robert Mason Mills, a Bourne businessman, and if you visit the church you will see a brass plaque which commemorates his generosity. During this period, there were many alterations to the interior and it began to take on the appearance that we see today. No trace remains of the monastic buildings and what we have left is the parish church of St Peter and St Paul, the original extensively altered over the years, but continuing to serve as the centre of Christian faith as it has been for almost 900 years. This is known as the established church.

The Abbey Church today