'St Botolph's church is a giant amongst English parish churches.... And the stump, the most prodigious of English parochial steeples is 272ft high.' Apparently begun in 1309, the church can most easily be described as Decorated and Perpendicular in that the steeple is Perpendicular and the body of the church Decorated. {1} Part of the original medieval roof of St Botolph's church was taken to be used to as a ceiling for the dining room at St Donat's Castle, Glamorgan. {2}{3}{4}{5} The parish Church of St Botolph has a western tower with a tall octagonal lantern known as the Boston Stump. Work on the church started in 1309 with the construction of the chancel, nave and aisles. This work was completed in 1390 and the tower was started in about 1450 and had been completed by 1520. Restoration of the church took place in 1845 by Gilbert Scott, and in 1851-53 by George Place of Nottingham. Further restoration in 1929 was by Sir Charles Nicholson. There is a nave altar of 1978 by Ronald Sims. Inside the church there is an octagonal 19th century font in an elaborate 14th century style by Pugin. The reredos of 1890 is by W.S. Weatherley. There is also a pulpit dated to 1612. The communion rails are wrought-iron of 1754 and they were altered 1853. Stained glass within the church includes work by M. and A. O'Connor in 1853, Kempe in 1889 and Burlison and Grylls in 1944. The church is built in ashlar with lead roofs. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. {6} There is a good mid 19th century account of the Church of St Botolph by Pishey Thompson. {7}