Diameter: 15" Bell 1 of 2
Founded by Peter Wood 1684
Dove Bell ID: 61056 Tower ID: 24071 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Thornton Steward: St Oswald
Diocese of Leeds
Church, 646582
http://www.jervaulxchurches.co.uk/thornton-steward.phpOverview
Grid reference: SE 170 869
Lying across the River Ure from Jervaulx Abbey, St Oswald's in Thornton Steward is recorded in the Domesday Book and is an ancient site of worship, with possible Anglo-Saxon origins. A small church in the heart of Wensleydale, it is simple, yet holds a rich history. It is set apart from the village, similar to the churches in Redmire and Finghall.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Car park available
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
West porch enters into nave and chancel with a north vestry.
Footprint of Church buildings: 178 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The site of St Oswald's has been a site of worship since the reign of King Edwin of Northumbria in the early 7th century. It is believed to be the oldest church in Wensleydale, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The present building is predominantly 11th century Norman, believed to be Saxon or early Romanesque. It is speculated that the church's isolation from the present village may be due to a plague outbreak, forcing people to move away, but leaving the church in place, although this is disputed.
Some alterations were made to the church in the 14th century, and the chancel roof was lowered and flattened in 1685, which contributed to subsequent water damage inside the church, leading to the church's large bible being lost in the 18th century. A 1907 restoration by C Hodgson Fowler included removing the box pews and installing the current pews, increasing the capacity of the building. In 1996, a new water pipelie was installed between Thornton Steward and Sowden Beck. The archaelogical work carried out around this project revealed burial grounds 100m west of the church with around 30 individuals' remains which were dated between c.680 and 1020AD, with evidence indicating they were buried according to Christian rites.
There are several historically significant items in the church and the churchyard. The crossheads in the churchyard are thought to be no later than 10th century, possibly 9th century. In the chancel is a 14th century tomb recess. The font is 13th century with a Jacobean wooden cover.
The church was listed Grade II* in 1967.
Exterior Description
An 11th century Saxon or early Romanesque church of rubble with ashlar details with Welsh slate and lead roofs. The church has a west porch, nave, chancel and north vestry, with a double bellcote at the west end of the nave.
West porch has a reset early Romanesque south doorway with chevroned voussoirs and a World War I memorial in the tympanum. Nave south side has two 2-light trefoiled windows with quatrefoil above and label. Eastern window on south nave elevation is 14th century, western window is 19th century copy. Evidence of blocked windows. Chancel south side has two paired lancet windows and a small, lower side window with chamfered surround. Priest's door below lancet windows with flat-headed, chamfered surround. East end has paired lancet window with stonework outline of previous, larger window. North side has lean-to vestry with a terminating string course and lead roof. North side of nave features a blocked doorway with interrupted jambs and two single lancet windows. Nave and chancel quoins, including potential Anglo-Saxon origins.
Churchyard slopes from north to south, with a public footpath running through, surrounded by a stone boundary wall.
Building Materials
Millstone Grit
11th Century
Millstone Grit
Slate
11th Century
Slate
Interior
Interior Description
Entry is through the south doorway in the west porch, opening into the west end of the nave. West porch holds medieval grave covers, one from 13th century with intials 'M G'. Nave contains jambs of blocked south doorway and remains of blocked high-level windows. Remains of round-headed chancel arch visible. Nave roof is flat, possibly 18th century. Chancel shows interior remains of larger east end window. Step up to altar beyond north vestry door. On north side, 14th century tomb recess with pointed segmental arch and carved heads at apex and stops. Stone sedile opposite tomb recess.
Nave is furnished with pine pew benches, with a wooden pulpit in the south east corner of the nave, against the chancel wall. The 13th century font sits in the south west corner, next to the entrance from the west porch.
Bells
Diameter: 18" Bell 2 of 2
Founded by Whitechapel (generic) 1791
Dove Bell ID: 61057 Tower ID: 24071 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 170 869
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
Sources
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