Weight: 1173 lbs Diameter: 39.06" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1897
Dove Bell ID: 269 Tower ID: 13992 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Askrigg: St Oswald
Diocese of Leeds
Church, 646035
http://www.upperwensleydalechurch.orgOverview
Grid reference: SD 947 910
Built on the site of previous churches dating back to at least the 12th century, the present St Oswald's church predominantly dates to the mid-15th century. Its west tower underwent a restoration in 2025, rendering it in limewash, giving it a much paler look compared to the rest of the church. It can be seen and its bells heard for miles around and is a major landmark in the village. The nave ceiling was singled out for praise by Pevsner in his assessment of the church.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Bell ringing Live music and concerts Guidebook available Wheelchair access ramp and accessible toilets available Visitor toilets and baby changing facilities available Assistance dogs welcome
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
A simple layout with aisled nave, chancel, west tower and south porch.
Dimensions:
Approximately: nave and chancel combined 22.9m (75ft) x 5.3m (17'3ft), north aisle 4.1m (13'5ft) wide, south aisle 4m (13'2ft) wide, tower 3m (9'9ft) x 2.9m (9'6ft)
Footprint of Church buildings: 438 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
St Oswald's was built as a chapel-of-ease in the parish of Aysgarth and has been a site of Christian worship since the 12th century. The present building is largely from the mid 15th century, with the south aisle rebuilt in 1770 and much of the church undergoing heavy restoration in the mid 19th century. The nave ceiling dates from the 15th century, and is described by Pevsner as the finest in the North Riding of Yorkshire. There is an old font in the nave, possibly dated to pre-15th century. There is a collection of stained glass windows in the church, including windows memorialising the Winn family, a local family which made significant contributions to the parish over multiple generations. One such contribution was the gift of the reredos underneath the east window, made with Minton tiles.
From 1145 to 1156, there was an abbey at Fors, west of Askrigg. In 1156, the monks moved to new land at Jervaulx, a little way east, but maintained close ties to Askrigg and the surrounding area. Prior to the Dissolution of the Monasteries, St Oswald's gave tithes to Jervaulx Abbey, after which Queen Mary gave the tithes to Trinity College, Cambridge, which became responsible for appointing the priest at Askrigg (and still is at Aysgarth).
The church was listed Grade I in 1969.
Exterior Description
A 15th century rubble sandstone building with lead roofs. Church has a three-storey west tower, five-bay nave and chancel in one with aisles, south porch and quoins. According to the National Churches Trust, it is 'probably the most impressive church in Wensleydale', with its battlemented tower, chancel and nave and Perpendicular style architecture.
The west face has ground-floor, 2-light cinquefoiled windows with Perpendicular tracery and a hoodmould; a first-floor single-light trefoiled window; and 2-light louvred belfrey openings with trefoil heads and hoodmoulds, which are repeated on all sides of the tower. There is a clock face on the east side of the tower. The tower has crenellated parapets and corner pinnacles. The tower was restored and re-rendered in 2024, leaving it a lighter colour than the rest of the building.
The south side starts with the porch, housing stone benches and the doorway with a hollow-moulded pointed arch with animals on label stops. The aisles on both south and north sides have 2-light 19th century Perpendicular-style windows; the clerestory windows above are 3-light pointed arches. There is a 19th century Perpendicular-style priest's door on the south face. The east end window is Perpendicular-style, from 1854, five lights with transoms. Entire nave and chancel parapet is crenellated.
Building Materials
Sandstone
15th Century
Sandstone
Sandstone
15th Century
Yoredale Sandstone
Interior
Interior Description
Entrance is through the south porch into the west end of the nave. Tower has exposed stone rib vaulting. Pillars in north and south aisles differ, owing to restoration of south aisle in 1770 and rebuilding of north aisle in 1850s. North aisle pillars are taller, circular, of Early English origin; the south aisle pillars are shorter, Perpendicular and octagonal. The ceiling is oak timber of 15th century origin, with moulded beams in the nave and chancel. The organ sits in what was once the Chantry of St Anne in the south aisle, remaining evidence can be seen in the piscina in the wall. Also in the south aisle is the medieval font, likely pre-15th century in origin. A 19th century font with decorated stonework and wooden lid sits next to the entrance porch. Alongside this is a hollow octagonal stone of unknown origin.
The nave has panelled pews with doors. There is no separation between nave and chancel, with three steps up to the chancel. At the east end is the memorial window for George Winn, paid for by his friends and installed in 1877, manufactured by Meyer and Co in Munich, Germany. Below the east window is the Minton-tiled reredos, showing the Ten Commandments, Lord's Prayer and Creed.
Bells
Weight: 532 lbs Diameter: 28.25" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1897
Dove Bell ID: 9075 Tower ID: 13992 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 644 lbs Diameter: 30.25" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1897
Dove Bell ID: 9076 Tower ID: 13992 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 756 lbs Diameter: 32.31" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1897
Dove Bell ID: 9077 Tower ID: 13992 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 840 lbs Diameter: 34.19" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1897
Dove Bell ID: 9078 Tower ID: 13992 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 952 lbs Diameter: 36" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1897
Dove Bell ID: 9079 Tower ID: 13992 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 947 910
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.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
The date of the burial closure order is 31/05/1910
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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