| Parish/District | Welton/West Lindsey |
| Location | west-side of the churchyard of St Mary |
| Category | Modern cross (1910) |
| National Grid Ref | TF 01110 79755 |
| Designation | Listed II |
| Stone Type | Limestone |
| Refs | The Lincolnshire Echo, Friday 9 Sept 1910 |
| Visits | DS: 28 Sept 2024 |
There is a modern churchyard cross at the west end of St Mary’s church in Welton. It commemorates Dr Richard Smith, founder of Christ’s Hospital School, Lincoln (the Bluecoats School). Smith was born in Welton in 1533 and was buried in the churchyard in 1602. He was also notable for being the physician to Lord Burleigh at the court of Elizabeth I. The cross was dedicated in the presence of a large assembly on Thursday 8 September 1910.
The cross is designed to be similar to the medieval churchyard cross at Somersby. It has a square socket stone set on a broad plinth, with an octagonal cross shaft and a gabled-crucifix cross head.
The socket stone has inscriptions on its east and west faces as follows: West
TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN EVER GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF
Dr RICHARD SMITH
WHO DIED AT WELTON 24th NOVEMBER 1602
AND WAS INTERRED IN THIS CHURCHYARD
And on the east face:
FOUNDER OF LINCOLN CHRIST'S HOSPITAL
FOR THE BENEFIT OF LINCOLN
WELTON AND POTTERHANWORTH
ERECTED BY PARISHIONERS
OLD BLUE COAT BOYS AND OTHERS
ALFRED HUNT M.A. VICAR. SEPT 8th 1910
Welton