Heritage Open days 2025
Schedule
Fri Sep 19 2025 at 11:00 am to 03:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Southside (former St Katherine's Church), Colegrave Street , LN5 8DW Lincoln, United Kingdom | Lincoln, EN
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Ever wondered what the old St Katherine's church's story is and what it is now when passing its majestic exterior at the foot of Lincoln's High Street? Come on in and find out!Fri 19 Sept, 11:00 - 15:00
Sat 20 Sept, 11:00 - 15:00
Sun 21 Sept, 11:00 - 15:00
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800 years ago, one of the foremost priories in medieval England operated on this site in Lincoln. The religious order of The Gilbertines looked after the spiritual needs of the local inhabitants and founded a centre for worship at a time when Lincoln was very important. Famous Kings and Queens worshipped here – King John, Eleanor of Castille, Edward II (the first Prince of Wales) and many more. Indeed, this was the site of the first Eleanor Cross, commemorating the journey of the great queen following her death, as her body was transported to London and eventual burial.
Fast forward to 1880, and a Methodist chapel was built on the site by the Wesleyan movement, followed by the church building seven years later, leaving the old chapel to be used as a parish hall. Although the church was valued and well used for almost a century, by the 1970’s it had sadly fallen into disrepair as times – and people – change.
The site was sold to a local ironmonger as a shop and store, and many people of ‘a certain age’ will remember 3 B’s here. However the buildings became even more dilapidated and eventually were sold to a trust so that they could be renovated. Over roughly a ten-year period, the Parish Hall (re-named ‘The Priory Centre') was restored, followed by St Katherine’s Church, with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Fast forward to 2022, Acoustic Nations become the new owners of the site and with that a new venue is formed: SOUTHSIDE.
Part of Heritage Open Days; England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Every year in September it brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history.
For more information head to the official festival website: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/submission-event/the-story-of-st-katherines.html
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Where is it happening?
Southside (former St Katherine's Church), Colegrave Street , LN5 8DW Lincoln, United Kingdom, Southside, Colegrave Street, Lincoln, LN5 8DW, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
