By John Ghest
ITH ALL MEDIAEVAL churches the subject matter is so vast that some compression is necessary. So it was with Friskney church - even more so as there has been some religious foundation in Friskney for well over 700 years. It is best to look at the history in three periods. The early years:- from the initial building to the end of the 13th century; the middle years:- the 14th - 17th centuries; and finally the later years:- 18th century to the present day.
The Early Years.
HE FIRST DOCUMENTED church in Friskney, dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria, probably of wooden construction was situated at Abbey Hills. The area can still be seen as a series of mounds and hollows in a field west of the village at (NGR: TF 451 548).
It was built some time after the Romans withdrew from the area, and lasted through the Danish occupation, Friskney being a southernmost settlement of the Danelaw.
The first church on the present site was begun in 1135, and parts of that building are still standing despite a fire which destroyed the church. The foundation stone for the rebuilding was laid in 1247 and the resulting church is a fine example of a mediaeval building that has changed litle since about 1450. Stone for the building was most likely quarried in south Yorkshire and brought by boat, down river and by sea to Friskney. Even today, some of the builder's marks, by which each stonemason could be identified can still be seen on the stonework of the tower stairway.
12th Century
	HE BASE OF THE TOWER and the entrance to the tower stairway are of the Norman period and date from about 1135. This is all that remains of the original predominantly wooden church which stood on the site. The Churchyard Cross, shown to the left, which stands not far from the south porch, is the original carved stone at the base. The middle part was restored in 1885. Several figures are cut into the base: a winged Angel representing St. Matthew; a winged Lion representing St. Mark; a winged Ox representing St. Luke; and a winged Eagle for St. John. It was discovered buried beneath the church during restoration work in 1879, having been hidden there to prevent its destruction. It's designated as a monument of national importance.
13th Century
WAS THE YEAR that the foundation stone of what we can call the present church, was laid. Although many additions and alterations have been made over the centuries, there are still several major features of the original structure remaining. These are most notably:- The lower middle part of the tower, which was built onto the earlier Norman structure. Near the pulpit, by the south end of the Chancel screen, a small archway gives onto a winding stair which provided access to the Rood loft.
	At the North end of the Chancel screen opposite the Rood Arch is a double half-arch and a 'Squint'. Originally the 'squint' would have been on an outside wall and was provided to enable the 'unclean' and excommunicated to watch the consecration at the altar. The to the left the 'Squint' as seen from inside the Chancel.
To the right is the 'Squint' as would have been seen in the outside wall. The arch of the east window, with its two Acolytes, which was rebuilt from stonework in the original chancel. Tombstones around the Lady Chapel altar date from this century, around 1250. Set into the wall of the chancel are low carved stone heads, corbels from the original chancel. Two of these heads are believed to represent a King and Queen - King Henry III.