Skipwith Church
St Helen's Church, Main Street, Skipwith, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 5SQ
The church is dedicated to St.Helen, as are many in York Diocese. This is due to the connection with Emperor Constantine, her son, who was declared Emperor in York. He had legalized Christianity within the Roman Empire in 313AD. Helen was famous for her pilgrimages, especially to Jerusalem. The North aisle was added in the 12th century Commissioned by Anthony Bek, Bishop of Durham. The south aisle was added in the 13th century. In 1450 the Nave roof was raised and Clerestory was added. Restoration to the church took place in 1876-7 by J.L.Pearson, which involved repairs and modifications and a new South Porch.
In 2004 the tower needed to be stabilised and underpinned due to mining below the church. The beautiful stained glass windows depict the story of John Bunyan's 'Pilgrims Progress' The presence of an upper room with Recess points to the strong possibility that St Helen’s may have been a place of Pilgrimage many hundreds of years ago. Excavations around the western tower suggested the existence of an earlier structure, probably a church, contemporary with thirteen burials of men, women, and children, some in chests or coffins, radiocarbon dated to AD 680-880, 770-980, and 790-990. According to Professor Taylor ('Anglo-Saxon Architecture') “Skipwith is one of the oldest surviving churches in the country.”
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 14 September:
- 1000-1600
Location & directions
St Helen's Church, Main Street, Skipwith, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 5SQ
- Directions:
- At the village pond, turn in to Main Street, follow this "No Through Road" and the church is on your right. Parking is on the roadside.
- Contact on day:
- Mary Ellwood tel: 01757 288761
- Telephone number:
- +441757288761
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
One 5 inch step to access the chancel.
Additional information
As part of Heritage Open Days we are opening our lovely church on Yorkshire Churches Day, September 14th. Come and explore our history and treasures. Refreshments available from 1000-1200 and 1400- 1600
- Max no of people per tour:
- 6
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 20 minute(s)
