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The church is one of the largest parish churches in England, and has the highest tower, the so-called Boston Stump. The tower is approximately 272 feet high, and can be seen for miles around, the East Anglian countryside being famous for its flatness. It provides a landmark from the other side of the Wash. The nickname dates from the construction of the church in around 1450.

It is believed that the church was built on the site of a monastery founded by Botolph in 654. The present building was begun in 1309, but the tower was not begun until 1450. The nave is 245 feet long and 98 feet wide.

A 17th century vicar of Boston, John Cotton, would be one of the leaders of the Pilgrim Fathers who founded Boston, Massachusetts. However, in 1612Events January 20 Mathias becomes Holy Roman Emperor. Antonius Magirus's Koock-boeck ofte Familieren kevken-boeck is published. Popular uprising in Moscow expels Polish troops. Trial of the witches in Pendle, Lancashire is held. Births Thomas Fairfax, Eng the church was damaged by militant local puritanThe Puritans were members of a group of radical Protestants which developed in England after the Reformation. Terminology The word puritan is now applied unevenly to a number of Protestant churches from the late sixteenth century to the early eighteenth cs, and again by Parliamentary forces during the English Civil WarThe English Civil War is the period of conflict in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland between 1639 and 1651, and also refers specifically to the two wars ( 1642 1645 and 1648 1649) between the Royalist supporters of Charles I of England and the, who are said to have used the church as their camp in 1643Events January 21 Abel Tasman discovers Tonga May 14 Four year-old Louis XIV becomes King of France upon the death of his father, Louis XIII. May 19 Battle of Rocroi: French victory over the Spanish at Rocroi, France. July 13 English Civil War: Battle of. Restoration work was carried out during the 17th and 18th centuries, and again in the mid-19th century, under the direction of Giles Gilbert ScottSir Giles Gilbert Scott ( 9 November 1880- 8 February 1960) was an English architect, the son of George Gilbert Scott Junior and grandson of Sir George Gilbert Scott, both also noted architects, as was his uncle, John Oldrid Scott. He was educated at Beau and Augustus Pugin.