Notably, Alvingham has two churches in the same churchyard,
one dedicated to St. Mary, the other the only church in England to be dedicated to St. Adelwold. Although Alvingham is not
unique to England in having two churches in one churchyard it is quite unusual.
St
Mary's with its stubby tower (in the background) was the parish church of North Cockerington. St. Mary's Church is
believed to have been founded in the first half of the 12th century. The actual date is not known for certain. There remains
in the chancel north wall, a small Saxon window with a little moulding in the head stone (Davies, 2001). It is now in the
care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
St Adelwold's, (foreground) the parish
church of Alvingham has the large stately tower. Though the present church of St. Adelwolds dates back to 1131 (Davies, 2001)
it was built on the foundations of an earlier Saxon Church with the same dedication (Esling, 1972).
Davies J. P (2001) Alvingham and North Cockerington F.W.Cupit
(Printers) Ltd.
Esling, M (1972) The
Parish Churches of North Cockerington and Alvingham Allison and Wilcox.
The image shown below extracted from (Davies, 2001)
is thought to have been taken in the late 1800s.
Church Warden; Mrs. A. Stratford, Lingfield, Church
Lane, Alvingham. 01507 327477
