Blankney Vicarage built in 1880Canon J. O. Stephens was rector of Blankney from 1879 to 1903. The new vicarage (pictured above) replaced an earlier vicarage which stood in the grounds of the church. The first occupant of the new vicarage was Canon Stephens, who proved to be a quite remarkable man. After a curacy at Belgrave, Leics., in 1858, he became Vicar of Savernake, Wilts., in 1861, of Blankney, Lincs., in 1879 and of All Saints, Tooting, 1903-1912. Made an honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral in 1914, he died in 1925 at the age of 93. In 1901 when Lady Charles Brudenell-Bruce died, she left money in trust for the creation of a new district and church in memory of her husband, Lord Charles Brudenall-Bruce. A tent church, established at Tooting in 1903 was succeeded by an iron church, and the consecration of All Saints took place in 1906, during the time Canon Stephens was vicar. Canon Stephens was instrumental in the building of Alexandra Hospital in Woodhall Spa.
Over the next few days I will be publishing a series of articles, giving an interesting insight into Canon Stephens time as vicar of Blankney.
