Our Churches Heritage
Documenting our natural & heritage environment
Introduction
This site currently provides information diligently gathered by the Lavant History Project on the memorials and gravestones in St Nicholas' Church and its graveyard. It seeks to provide insight into those who have gone before us and add "colour" to the rather bland descriptions you most often find on memorials and gravestone. It is the intention to carry out similar work at St Mary's church in due course.
You can find information about the History of St Nicholas Church here and the Churchyard here or just choose from the menu.
St Nicholas Burials
Some facts and figures
The register of burials dates from 1567, but none were recorded between 1595 and 1613 and a number of other years are missing as well. The last burial took place in 1942. Between 1567 and 1594 there were 113 recorded burials. Between 1614 and Easter 1901 - 1,020, and between Easter 1901 and 1942 - 91. In the recent past 7 marker stones record the interment of ashes.
Overall, 1,224 burials have been registered. A very rough estimate (based on best guesses of population) might suggest another 2,000 burials since 1066. Perhaps 3,500 people were buried in St Nicholas graveyard over the thousand years of its existence.
This information about St Nicholas has been created through the work of The Lavant History Project. Volunteers have recorded the remaining 148 headstones and 37 footstones and a great deal of research has uncovered the stories of these as well as those of the interior objects. Thanks also to Richard Whincop who took many of the photographs.
The Lavant History Project has been formed to illuminate the tales of yesterday and help ensure Lavant’s history isn’t lost. If you would like to be involved, please do get in touch via Lavant Parish Council.
