Welcome to Genuki, Lincolnshire
Contributed by Rex Johnson
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The book I worked on covered the period 1646 to 1812, and I discovered that someone had 
written two pages of notes on the front end-papers.  This had been done around 1811, because 
one pages was a list of vicars and curates from 1646, ending with Henry Vincent Bayley, the 
vicar in 1811.  H.V. Bayley, D.D. became the Archdeacon of Stow in 1827, and is well known to 
villagers interested in Messingham history as the vicar who purloined (begged, borrowed, 
obtained etc.) items from other churches to "beautify" his own church in Messingham.

The second end-page is headed "Memr.", and I would like to share a bit of it with you:
The east window in the Chancel of the Messingham Church is composed of 
fragments of stained glass given by several persons to the late worthy vicar H.V. Bayley D.D.
Edward Wilson F.H.S., W.B. Stonehouse M.A., Madam Hannah Bayley, assisted by Thomas 
Wittingham a glazier of Scotton and Benj. Popplewell, sexton, were employed for six weeks in 
arranging and putting the different pieces of glass. The vicar engaged also in this undertaking 
but having hurt his thumb nail the first day he never would come again.

The work was carried on in a small house which has since been converted into a coach house - 
the property of Mr. Wm. Stocks [on my tree - Rex].  Mr Wilson had an iron mold made to cast the 
lead for the joinings in a manner proper for the purpose - - - - - - - -

The page continues to describe some of the glass used for the window, and other articles obtained 
for the church by the vicar:
Glass from Kettlethorpe Church (donated by Mrs. Henry Smith of Gainsborough).
Glass from Scotton church.  This church had a broken window, and residents were promised it 
would be 'mended' if Mr Bayley could take away the broken pieces.  The article says "the fragments 
were so covered with filth that few people thought them worth notice. Amongst these were 
beautiful vine leaves, the figure of the Virgin and Child, and several shields etc.".

Other churches mentioned are Snarford Church, Malvern Church (Worcestershire), Manchester, 
Scampton Church, a beautiful pulpit from Lincoln Minster, and lovely wooden pews from Althorpe Church.

There was more, but the above gives you an insight into what went on in the 'old days'.

Best of wishes, Rex