Diocese of York / News & events / News

Three churches from the Diocese of York are to share in a £390,000 funding payout from the National Churches Trust: St James Murton, All Saints Newton on Ouse and St Wilfrid South Kilvington.

Broadcaster and journalist Huw Edwards, Vice-President of the National Churches Trust said, “I'm delighted that this Christmas the future of St James, Murton, All Saints, Newton on Ouse and St Wilfrid, South Kilvington is being safeguarded by National Churches Trust grants. This funding will help ensure that these three much loved Yorkshire churches continue to serve local people for many years to come.”

“At the heart of the nation’s history and at the centre of local communities, churches and chapels are some of the UK's best loved local buildings. But their future is not guaranteed. “

“So this Christmas, when people visit a church for a carol service or even just walk past a church on the way to do the Christmas shopping, I urge them to think about how they can help ensure that churches remain open and good repair for future generations.”

“Everyone can make a contribution to the future of the UK's church and chapel buildings. That could be by helping to clear drains and gutters to help keep churches watertight, volunteering to help out as a guide to show people the history and architecture of places of worship or keeping an eye out for vandals or thieves."

“Churches and chapels may be historic buildings, but they can be part of our future, too.”

St James, Murton

(Pictured top left.) £10,000 National Churches Trust Community Grant to install a kitchenette for catering and a disabled toilet in a small extension which will also serve as a lobby. This will extend the use and role of the church within the village, which has no village hall, post office, shop and a poor bus service, by allowing it to become a public venue which will increase community cohesion. St James’s is a small church, squeezing in just 54 people. Some of the masonry and the south doorway may date from around 1200.

For some of this time it served as a pig sty.Apart from a few minor changes and the introduction of electricity, St James’s church appears to have changed little if at all over the centuries. As such it represents a valued and reassuring constant in today’s changing times. The little church makes a unique contribution to the community through its simple, peaceful and intimate character, and inspires deep affection amongst locals and visitors alike.

All Saints, Newton on Ouse

(Pictured top centre.) £10,000 National Churches Trust Repair Grant to fund a project for urgent repairs including re-roofing the nave and south aisle with new stone slates, replacing rotten timbers. In recent times the poor condition of the church has put visitors off. Once the repairs are completed, the church aims to encourage more people to use it, whether for concerts, exploring their history or just to appreciate the craftsmanship. There has been a church in Newton since Saxon times. Originally dedicated to All Saints it was known as St Mary's circa 1848-1890 before reverting back to All Saints.

The current Grade II Listed Building dates from 1849, although the tower is approximately 900 years old. The church was rebuilt twice in the 19th century, first in 1839 and then again in 1849. Both rebuilds were financed by the Dawnay family who resided at nearby Beningbrough Hall. John Oates was commissioned by the 6th Viscount Downe, William Henry Dawnay, to rebuild the body of the church and this was completed in 1839.

Just ten years later Dawnay's daughter the Hon. Lydia Dawnay commissioned George Townsend Andrews, the famous railway architect whose work includes York station, to rebuild the church and it was at this stage that the magnificent spire, 150ft from the ground, was added. The spire, visible from 20 miles away, reaches 150ft above the ground and was a vital navigation aid during World War II. Today it still serves as a useful aid for trainee pilots at nearby RAF Linton on Ouse.

St Wilfrid, South Kilvington

(Pictured top right.) £10,000 National Churches Trust Repair Grant to help fund urgent repairs including stabilizing the east wall which is moving out from the top, repair the sanctuary roof and floor from water damage and replace any damaged roof tiles and rainwater goods.In better condition and with better facilities more activity can take place in the church. The school can use it more for their history/creative writing classes and the wider community will be able to hold clubs and other meetings as appropriate.

South Kilvington is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Cheluitun in the Yarlestre hundred. The entry refers to the area around North Kilvington that was owned by Earl Edwin at the time of the Norman invasion and then granted to the Crown. Henry Percy, 4th Earl of Northumberland was said to have been killed here in 1489 by a mob of protesters against taxation.St Wilfrid was built in approximately 1271. One of the most prominent rectors was De Scope who went on to be Archbishop of York, and donated the font, which is of frosterly marble.

Most of the pews were made by W. Kingsley who was rector for 58 years (1859-1917). Other notable features include the shingled bell tower, a Norman window and remodelled Norman doorway in the nave and another Norman window in the chancel, and the early 14th century East window.