Bell 1 of 2
Founded by James III Harrison 1803
Dove Bell ID: 62820 Tower ID: 25080 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Yedingham: St John the Baptist
Diocese of York
Church, 643045
http://www.buckrosecarrs.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SE 893 795
A small church consisting only of nave and chancel, located off the east side of the main street of the hamlet of Yedingham, 8 miles south-west of Scarborough in lightly populated countryside. The church has a far longer history than one would surmise at first glance, seeing it from the north-west as one approaches through the simple entrance gate. It appears from this angle to be a typical small Victorian village church, but seen from the south side its antiquity is clearer, as the tiny narrow south doorway is clearly Norman, and the chancel appears to incorporate old stonework.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West belcote, 3-bay nave, 2-bay chancel.
Dimensions:
Nave 9m (28ft) by 5m (15’6ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 108 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was probably founded in the early 12th century, and in 1230 it was presented to nearby Yedingham priory, a Benedictine nunnery. Following the Reformation it became the parish church for a large area, since much reduced. The nave was restored in 1862-4 by a Mr Tuke from Bradford, and the chancel by W Butterfield, who also designed the furnishings and fittings. There would appear to have been no significant alterations since.
The surrounding area centred around West Heslerton is an archaeological site of national importance, with earthworks and underground remains of a substantial Romano-British and Saxon proto-urban settlement. The large-scale excavations here have changed our perception of the late Roman and early Saxon period. There are also substantial medieval and post-medieval remains, including the nationally important site of Wharram Percy, and of course the other medieval churches in the area.
Exterior Description
This is a compact and attractive church, restored in a neo-Norman style to match the surviving ancient features of the south doorway and font. A little vertical emphasis is given by the gabled belcote, set on a broad pilaster buttress, with double round-arched openings. The church has coped gables, and belcote and chancel gable crosses.
Following the path round to the south side, the nave has a corbel table and pilaster angle buttresses, with a round-arched doorway in the west bay of two orders carried on paired columns with leaf capitals. The outer arch is chamfered, the inner one of re-used 12th-century blank lobed moulding, quite rare. There are two windows, round-arched on side shafts with leaf capitals, the easternmost of paired recessed lights with a voluted centre shaft. The north wall windows mirror this, but with an extra window in the west bay.
The south wall of the slightly lower and narrower chancel has two cusped lancets, with a dwarf offset buttress to the east and moulded sill and eaves bands. There is one window of paired cusped lancets in the north wall, and a round-headed doorway in the north-west corner. The pointed east window is of two cusped lights with quatrefoil tracery, over the stepped-up sill band.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1919
Crucifixion in the east window, War memorial, artist unknown
Stained Glass
19th Century
St John and St James in the north chancel window, dedicated by the sons of John Ellis, vicar who died in 1848
Building Materials
Sandstone
Slate
Welsh slate roof
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is whitewashed and bright. There is an area cordoned off with curtains in the north-west corner containing the Norman font and Victorian storage cupboards around the walls. There are Victorian wrought-iron lamp brackets and holders in the nave, which is fully pewed. The floors are stone-flagged and carpeted. The nave roof is arch-braced to a collar and king-post, the chancel roof of the waggon type, both taken down to miniature column corbels with waterleaf capitals.
The round-headed chancel arch is single-stepped and double-chamfered on plain imposts, the inner order taken down to moulded corbels; if it is Norman, it has been heavily restored. The chancel furnishings are simple but attractive, lit by a combination of clear and stained glass windows. The chancel floor has encaustic tiles, within which are set at least four ledger stones set north-south, and rises to the altar by three single steps. There is a restored sedilie with cusped head and chamfered jambs in the south wall and a square aumbry in the north.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1864
Oak table
Reredos
1864
Curtain
Pulpit
1864
Hexagonal, oak with an open carved quatrefoiled upper panel and moulded cornice
Lectern
1864
Brass reading stand with fluted and scrolled stem and bracket
Font (object)
1864
Norman tub font on roll-moulded foot and octagonal base
Plaque (object)
Brass plaque commemorating Richard Cleator Atkinson MA vicar 1889-1912, and Mary his wife who died 1931.
Organ (object)
Electric
Bells
Bell 2 of 2
Founded by John Conyers 1616
Dove Bell ID: 62821 Tower ID: 25080 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 893 795
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.