Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Rievaulx
Rievaulx Bank, Rievaulx, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5LB
This historic building with its spectacular stained glass window of the Nativity was originally the 'Slipper Chapel' (or Gate Chapel) at the entrance to Rievaulx Abbey (some of the 13th century masonry is still visible). It was rebuilt as a village church by architect Temple Moore in 1906-7, who added a chancel and a small steeple.
A centenary restoration project in 2007 saw in particular a new roof (plus a repainted clock face and a cockerel weather vane, designed to match that depicted in the recent find at Rievaulx of a fragment of medieval stained glass).Situated at the north-east end of the village, a short distance from the west end of the Abbey church, it is squeezed on to the valley side, so, like there, the traditional east-west alignment has not been possible. The beautiful window above the altar depicting the Nativity, is dedicated to the memory of Evelyn, Eleanor, and Florence Duncombe, the family name of the Earls of Duncombe. A further memorial is the stained glass window in the south wall given by the parents of Reverend Hawdon who was killed in the Great War.
During the Dissolution in 1538 the Abbey was surrendered and slighted along with the Chapel which then stood derelict for 368 years. In 1906/7 it was restored and extended as a working church and remains so as part of the parish of Helmsley. The stone slab roofing was restored following an energetic funding campaign in 2007/8. It was reconsecrated in 1907 by the Archbishop of York.
There will be a display of some of Trudy Sanderson’s textile artwork, and also a display of some of Val Mather’s photographs of the Regia Anglorum group on the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail and at Rievaulx.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 13 September:
- 0900-1700
- Saturday 14 September:
- 0900-1700
- Sunday 15 September:
- 0900-1700
Location & directions
Rievaulx Bank, Rievaulx, York, North Yorkshire, YO62 5LB
- Directions:
- Take the B1257 road out of Helmsley to Stokesley. Rievaulx is 3 miles away and Rievaulx Bank is the second left road you will come to. Go down the bank, the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is on your right as you enter the hamlet. Park carefully in the English Heritage car park at the Abbey, or the overflow field park if that is open.
- Contact on day:
- Kate Senior, PCC Secretary
- Telephone number:
- +447936539664
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
This small church has steps leading up to the entrance. It has no toilet or water facilities. Toilets and access facilities are available at Rievaulx Abbey.
Additional information
THE EARL OF FEVERSHAM MEMORIAL By the west door is a memorial marked by a large wooden cross to Charles Duncombe, the 2nd Earl of Feversham. Duncombe was a Colonel of Yeoman Rifles in the 21st King's Royal Rifle Corps. He died on 15 September 1915 at Flers, during the Battle of the Somme. He was first buried there under a local cross. His body and cross was brought home to England by his wife and son. Set in the wall is a single lancet with a stained glass window in memory of Rev Rawdon, who also died in the Great War. The colourful east window was given in memory of Evelyn Eleanor Duncombe.
