England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Creeton St Peter

The Parish

The parish of Creeton sits in southwestern Lincolnshire not too far from its border with neighbouring Rutland. Creeton is located roughly 6 miles west of the town of Bourne and sits on and mostly east of the B1176 which links Stamford with Grantham. Creeton is a tiny place sitting on the eastern banks of the West Glen River, a few properties sit alongside the B1176 whilst most are on the dead-end lane leading eastwards to the church. Creeton, like most Lincolnshire parishes, would have been and still is primarily an arable parish, the riverside pastures varied this typical scene a little. Modern developments have come to this small village, just west of the B1176lies the route of the main East Coast Railway Line from London to Newcastle, needless to say tiny Creeton does not have a station. Creeton is drained southwards by the West Glen River, in historical times this river would have flowed seamlessly into the Welland, nowadays following drainage efforts the water is first taken by the Greatford Cut before joining the Welland at Market Deeping; from there the Welland crosses Fenland to reach the North Sea through the Wash. Creeton is sited at around 50 metres above the sea in gently rolling countryside where a few spots such as Cabbage Hill reach 90 metres to the west of the railway line. Creeton was a rather small parish covering only a touch over 1,000 acres and barely supporting a population of 50 parishioners. Despite today's small size Creeton was recorded in Domesday Book with 21 households, quite close to the situation today. shared by 4 landholders it could muster just 4 ploughs backed by some meadows & woodland.

The Church

St Peter's church sits at the eastern end of Church Lane which heads eastwards from the B1176 and terminates at the church and Manor Farm, a footpath leads on headed for Grimsthorpe Park, a popular local walk. Like many small village churches with tiny congregations St Peter has fabric dating back to the earliest of times, Pevsner records the chancel arch as being from the late 12th  century and Norman Romanesque in style. Both the western tower and southern transept are dated to the late 13th century, the borderline between Early English Gothic & Decorated and best described as Transitional with elements from both styles, the transept shows the characteristic lancets of the former style. The later medieval style of the 15th century, the Perpendicular, only saw a few windows renewed into that style. Much else dates from the major Victorian restoration of the early 1850s, here the nave was largely rebuilt, its northern wall particularly so, and all of the roofs renewed. Church Lane is very narrow with limited room for turning around except in the farmyard, it is only a short stroll from the B1176.  The churchyard is hedged and gated and is largely open & uncluttered with few obstacles for the photographer.