Scampton is one of a series of small villages built along the spring line of the Lincolnshire Edge and just to the west of the A15. RAF Scampton was part of the parish of St Johns, and this has been the parish church for RAF Scampton from 1916 until the base was officially closed in 2023.
The present church dates from the C14th, but by the late C18th the building had become very dilapidated and was extensively rebuilt. Only the C14 tower survived along with the C16th chancel arch, north arcade pillars, aumbry and piscina. The church was again heavily restored in the late C19th by Bodley and Garner, when the east end was rebuilt.
On entry it feels a welcoming and vibrant church, a much loved church. In 2022 it won the National Churches Trust ‘Open for Visitors award’ for England.
It is a simple church with a very modern feel, with white washed walls and ceiling with a wooden frame roof. The pews have been replaced by chairs sponsored by members of the congregation as well as visitors with links to RAF Scampton. With the small kitchen area at the back, this gives much more flexibility for community use.
The wooden altar with its carving of the Lamb of God came from the chapel at RAF Scampton. The original altar stands next to the Chancel arch. The two stained glass windows at the east end date from the Bodley restoration.
The small RAF Memorial Chapel is next to the chancel and contains the original squadron shields and honour boards from RAF Scampton.
At the back of the nave is the Honours and Awards board. The blue ensign RAF flag hangs from the roof.
Near it is the medieval stone font.
There are two lovely modern stained glass windows in the nave. The RAF Scampton Memorial Window marks the closure of the airfield which was one of the oldest RAF Stations in the UK being opened in 1916 for the Royal Flying Corps. As well as the RAF badge and a Lancaster Bomber, the window also depicts a Vulcan Bomber and the Red Arrows who were based at Scampton. The background colours reflect the colours of the different crops grown in Lincolnshire.
Next to it is the 617 Squadron Commemorative Window with the badges and mottos of Bomber Command and 617 Squadron.
There are display panels and interactive screens in the church telling the stories of the airfield and its personnel.
The church is also the guardian of 107 Commonwealth War and Service Graves. This includes the 64 Commonwealth graves for British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian aircrew who died whilst on active service either in training accidents or in operations around the UK. By them is the Cross of Sacrifice unveiled in 1950. The area had to be extended in 1941 and is overlooked by seven metal silhouette figures of bomber crewmen.
There is only one non RAF grave, that of Private T Horsbury of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. His regiment was providing air defence using anti-aircraft guns at Scampton.
Near the road are eight graves for German aircrews who had been attacking military targets in the area and were shot down.
It was later discovered there was an extra man on board one of the aircraft so his name was added to one of the original headstones.
After the end of the Second World War, almost all of the German war dead were reinterred in the large German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, however the relatives of the German war dead at Scampton refused permission for this as they wished the graves to remain at Scampton.
There are a further 43 Ministry of Defence graves of personnel who died on active service since then. Thgese are immediately distinguishable by their more rounded tops.
Further information about personnel buried here can be found on this website.
website
The present church dates from the C14th, but by the late C18th the building had become very dilapidated and was extensively rebuilt. Only the C14 tower survived along with the C16th chancel arch, north arcade pillars, aumbry and piscina. The church was again heavily restored in the late C19th by Bodley and Garner, when the east end was rebuilt.
On entry it feels a welcoming and vibrant church, a much loved church. In 2022 it won the National Churches Trust ‘Open for Visitors award’ for England.
It is a simple church with a very modern feel, with white washed walls and ceiling with a wooden frame roof. The pews have been replaced by chairs sponsored by members of the congregation as well as visitors with links to RAF Scampton. With the small kitchen area at the back, this gives much more flexibility for community use.
The wooden altar with its carving of the Lamb of God came from the chapel at RAF Scampton. The original altar stands next to the Chancel arch. The two stained glass windows at the east end date from the Bodley restoration.
The small RAF Memorial Chapel is next to the chancel and contains the original squadron shields and honour boards from RAF Scampton.
At the back of the nave is the Honours and Awards board. The blue ensign RAF flag hangs from the roof.
Near it is the medieval stone font.
There are two lovely modern stained glass windows in the nave. The RAF Scampton Memorial Window marks the closure of the airfield which was one of the oldest RAF Stations in the UK being opened in 1916 for the Royal Flying Corps. As well as the RAF badge and a Lancaster Bomber, the window also depicts a Vulcan Bomber and the Red Arrows who were based at Scampton. The background colours reflect the colours of the different crops grown in Lincolnshire.
Next to it is the 617 Squadron Commemorative Window with the badges and mottos of Bomber Command and 617 Squadron.
There are display panels and interactive screens in the church telling the stories of the airfield and its personnel.
The church is also the guardian of 107 Commonwealth War and Service Graves. This includes the 64 Commonwealth graves for British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian aircrew who died whilst on active service either in training accidents or in operations around the UK. By them is the Cross of Sacrifice unveiled in 1950. The area had to be extended in 1941 and is overlooked by seven metal silhouette figures of bomber crewmen.
There is only one non RAF grave, that of Private T Horsbury of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. His regiment was providing air defence using anti-aircraft guns at Scampton.
Near the road are eight graves for German aircrews who had been attacking military targets in the area and were shot down.
It was later discovered there was an extra man on board one of the aircraft so his name was added to one of the original headstones.
After the end of the Second World War, almost all of the German war dead were reinterred in the large German War Cemetery at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, however the relatives of the German war dead at Scampton refused permission for this as they wished the graves to remain at Scampton.
There are a further 43 Ministry of Defence graves of personnel who died on active service since then. Thgese are immediately distinguishable by their more rounded tops.
Further information about personnel buried here can be found on this website.
website