St Giles Church

St Giles holds a unique place in national history: Langton by Wragby is believed to be the birthplace of Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1207 to 1228, and one of the principal architects of Magna Carta in 1215. Langton played a central role in the dispute between King John and Pope Innocent III that led to the crisis from which the Great Charter emerged — and the church’s first recorded incumbent dates from that same year, 1215.

The medieval perpendicular tower, the oldest surviving part of the church, was built in the mid-14th century. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1866, replacing an earlier structure of 1766, giving today’s building its blend of Victorian and medieval work. The East window depicts Christ’s birth, death and resurrection, while a second window portrays Stephen Langton himself. Two carved, crowned heads sit in the chancel arch capitals, and four roundels behind the altar depict the symbols of the four evangelists. Two tombs in the churchyard are reputed to belong to Crusaders.

“To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.” — Clause 40, Magna Carta

Celebrating Magna Carta

The village marked the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta in 2015 with a series of special events. On 31 July 1815–style ceremony, an emissary delivered a specially composed Magna Carta Anthem, written by Malcolm Archer, Director of Chapel Music at Winchester College and published by the Royal School of Church Music, to St Giles. Langton also became a stop on a new cycle trail linking Magna Carta towns, developed with the Magna Carta Trust, Sustrans and Church House, and a dedicated Stephen Langton walking trail was created between Lincoln and the village.

The celebrations culminated on Sunday 21 June, when the Rt Revd Christopher Lowson, Bishop of Lincoln, presided over morning worship and dedicated a memorial plaque at the base of the Stephen Langton stained glass window — then cut a cake decorated with Clause 40 of Magna Carta, before the congregation gathered at Langton Manor, thought to be Stephen Langton’s birthplace, for refreshments.

Conservation & Repair

The church’s East window has been carefully restored by MSD Stained Glass, specialists based near Southwell, and the church has been completely re-wired to present-day standards with long-life LED lighting fitted throughout — thanks to a successful parish fundraising appeal.