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23. The Village of Ampleforth and St Hilda's Church
Coram Cottage dated 1856, like many buildings in the village, it is built of the characteristic attractive honey coloured limestone of the area (there is also a pale grey limestone too). There is a smashing guide to the village which you can obtain from the Church or Village Shop etc. produced by the pupils of St Hilda's CE Primary School and St Benedict's Primary School. There is much to explore in Ampleforth, but we only had time for St Hilda's church on this occasion, but we'll be back!
The site of St Hilda's Church, Ampleforth dates from Saxon times where a wooden thatched building probably stood. It is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The present structure is based on the church built in the 12th-13th century with extensive alterations and additions in the 19th century. The tower was added in the 16th century. Full details of the church are given in a detailed guide pamphlet so PLEASE purchase it and leave a donation for the upkeep of this historic building.
As you enter through the gate you see the arch of the blocked up north door.
Detail of the carvings on the arch of the disused north doorway, some are signs of the Zodiac.
The stump of the old Saxon Market Cross by the south entrance door shows the ancient origins of the church.
Within the 19th century porch is the beautiful and elaborately carved 13th century rounded arch of the main south entrance door. Prior to the 19th century it got a bit weathered, but the work of the master stone masons is there for all to see.
Looking down the nave to the chancel, alter and east window, with the arches of the north aisle on the left, which were built in 1866 (not Norman) when the nave and chancel were both rebuilt.
Left: The magnificent medieval stained glass east window dating from 1390. Centre: On the north wall near the organ is a simple but beautiful wooden carving of Madonna and Child, carved by the late Professor Heu, an Austrian refugee during the Second World War and given to St Hilda's by the family he stayed with in the village. Right: In the vestry is a stone statue effigy of a praying knight dressed in mail armour with belt and sword, overlooked by a lady (female figure of ?). The engraved name reads Gilianus/Wilhelmus/Willelmus de Jarpenville? and believed to depict a soldier-knight of King Edward II's time, who fought and died in the Battle of Byland in 1322, from where the King fled.
The carved stone font dates from the 12th century and still in use today.
* The Ryedale District and environs is a great area of North Yorkshire for walking holidays on the North York Moors and visiting the many towns and villages with their historic buildings including the many historic churches for the tourist to take in this part of Northern England * * page updated Aug 28th 2007 * EMAIL Phil Brown * * views-scenes-images-photographs-pictures-photos-webshots © Dr W P Brown * |
