 In 1885 "Kelly’s" noted that Holbeach Fen had become an ecclesiastical parish in 1867, had an area of and an 1881 population of 872.St John’s chapel of ease was erected in 1840 by Robert Eliot of Fleet on land donated by the Duke of Somerset KG, and by subscription, particularly from Bishop Kaye of Lincoln.Brick built in Early English style it was described by "Pevsner" in 1964 as consisting of a nave, short chancel, lancet windows, bellcote and shallow porch.