KIRBY MISPERTON & MIDDLETON PARISHES

St Laurence

Kirby Misperton

St Laurence church has stood since the 9th century. Incorporated in the stone work of the Chancel walls are a number of "wheeled crosses’ and fragments of a tomb headstone, dating from the late Anglian period which came to an end with the Danish invasion of Northumbria in 867 AD. Kirby Misperton is thought to have been one of the few stone-built, churches to have existed in Yorkshire at this time when “there was not a stone church in all the land, but the custom was to build them all of wood.” The Church was entirely rebuilt in the 15th Century, and no part of the present building has survived since before that reconstruction, although the Norman Chancel Arch was not removed until the late 19th century. The Lady Chapel has been described by one eminent Church historian as "the best part of the building”. The window above the Altar depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Infant Christ is a memorial to two former Rectors and was dedicated on the feast of the Purification in 1949 by Dean Milner-White of York. St Laurence is open during the day so please do feel very welcome to come and discover more or use for a peaceful retreat. Our next Messy Church is held in Kirby Misperton Village Hall on Saturday 28th March 15.00-17.00 Everyone welcome.

St Andrew

Middleton

St Andrew's is a friendly church serving the people of Middleton, Aislaby and Wrelton. The church building has a 30’ Saxon tower, fine Norman nave, stained glass windows, some remarkable Viking/Christian crosses and a pulpit from which Wesley is proven to have preached.  The church building is open daily from dawn to dusk, and is a beautiful place in which to sit quietly, reflect and offer prayer.

All Saints

Sinnington

Welcome to Sinnington and a very warm welcome to the Anglican church which has stood here since the 13th century. Beyond the Village Hall, the church stands at the top of Church Lane overlooking the village, surrounded by its peaceful churchyard. Different services are held on Sundays and there is always a notice on the village notice board and in the church porch to identify what services are being held, when and where. There are of course special services at Festival times, group events within the parish, a group involved with Open The Book (bible stories read weekly to children at Sinnington School) and various fund raising activities including a Mell Supper at harvest time, a Lent lunch and cake stalls.  We have close contacts with Sinnington Methodist Church and we share services in our two buildings. We would be delighted to meet you at any time – please get in touch with one of the churchwardens, meet a member of the church family or come along to a service - new faces are always welcome! 

St John

Newton on Rawcliffe

Originally Newton was part of Pickering Parish and during one period had three places of worship. As buildings fell into disrepair and were condemned  work on the present Church, St John’s was started in 1866. The present Church was consecrated in 1870. St Johns has altered very little over the years and is a simple, peaceful , typical mid Victorian country Church. The Church is set back but beautifully visible from the road and is surrounded by the original grave yard There are excellent acoustics in the Church enhanced by a delightful 1894 Harrison and Harrison Organ  The Church is also host for the village clock. A very fine and unusual clock with workings visible for all to see at ground level. You are very welcome to visit at any time and who knows you may even find one or two famous mice!

St Andrew

Normanby

St Andrew's is a small bellcote church facing what used to be the Smithy. The church's origins are pre Norman and it was under the patronage of St. Mary's Abbey at York. The church is open and everyone is very welcome to visit.

St Chad

Great Habton

An extract from Yorkshire The North Riding. Buildings of England Pevsner....St Chad. 1884 by Charles Hodgson Fowler. Red brick. Nave, Chancel, Wooden bell turret. Although a small church, this is a by a very good architect Charles Hodgson Fowler from Durham but responsible for many excellent churches fittings and furnishings in Yorkshire.  The interior fittings are still very much intact simple pews Chancel screen with tracery relief patterns fine lectern in the arts and crafts style. A harmonium by Packard Fort Wayne of Indiana imported by Dray and sons York and Hull. This is played regularly for services.  We have recently had major repair works done to the roof, the bell tower, the bell was reconditioned and re hung. The day the bell was first tested after the re hanging a number of us in the Village were out in our gardens, heard the bell and stopped to listen....it was a lovely moment! ...it having been silent for so long!  St Chads is the chapel of ease for St Laurence, is only a small church but it is one of only a few facilities in the village. We try to keep it open during the day which often gets good comments. We hold two services a month, the first Sunday is a lay lead Family Half Hour followed by coffee and biscuits (we don’t have water in the church but everyone rallies round with thermoses and the washing up at home). The third Sunday is Holy Communion. We are a small congregation but we all love the intimacy and simplicity of St Chads. Last Sunday,   1st March we even had a very well behaved dog in the congregation! We welcome everyone!  We hold a Tea and Chat once a month the last Tuesday in the month at the village hall (they’ve got a kitchen!) to provide support for any lonely people not necessarily communicants. 

Mission Room

Marton

St John of Beverley

Salton

Salton Church nestles in the quiet village of Salton, and is described as a Yorkshire gem, being one of the most perfect small Norman Churches in the county. It has a history of beauty and violence, in the 12th century the village was invaded by the Scots, and when the villagers took refuge in the church the rebels set fire to the thatched roof. You can see evidence of this fire in the nave where the stonework in the nave is calcined pink as a result of the fire. The church has recently been taken off the Heritage endangered list following a year of restoration work funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The patronal saint of Salton Church may give the impression that it is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire near to Beverley, but St John, a Yorkshire man who was one of the leaders of Christianity in the north, eventually died in Beverley. Services are held twice a month, Communion at 10am on the first Sunday in the month, and on the 4th Sunday there is Evensong at 6pm. Everyone is Most Welcome. Its situation and beauty makes the church an ideal venue for weddings, and musical events.

Holy Epiphany

Butterwick Chapel

Butterwick Church of the Holy Epiphany is part of Salton Parish, and is situated only 3 miles from Salton. As you drive to the village over the River Rye the church stands on rising ground. It is a small Victorian Church and an important meeting place for the villagers. Walkers and cyclists are welcome. Both churches are open daily, and are peaceful retreats. The services at Butterwick are Holy Communion at 6pm on the Third Sunday. Everyone is Most Welcome