An old village church in a quiet rural setting

St Martin is set in a beautiful rural location with Castle Howard and the Howardian Hills close by. Drifts of snowdrops and daffodils clothe the churchyard in spring and sheep graze between the gravestones in summer.

It is considered that this attractive church was reconstructed around 1400, although some parts may be 200 years older, on the site of an earlier church. It was extensively restored between 1871 and 1910. St Martin's was declared redundant on 1 April 1982, and was vested in the Trust on 19 October 1983.

The church is constructed in ironstone with Welsh slate roofs. Its plan consists of a two-bay nave, a two-bay chancel, an aisle running to the north of the nave and the chancel, a south porch and a west tower. The architectural style is Perpendicular. The east end of the aisle forms a chapel. The tower is in two stages, it has angle buttresses and an embattled parapet. The porch is considered to be particularly elaborate, and the exterior of the church is embattled throughout.

Inside, the church is simple and airy, with pale stone offset against limewashed walls. The nave and aisle have two-light windows and a north door. In the chancel is a three-light east window, and two-light windows on its south wall. The chapel has a two-light east and north windows. The church has a tower arch, but no chancel arch. Between the nave and the aisle is a two-bay arcade, and a similar arcade divides the chapel from the chancel.

Among the most interesting features are 14 massive Medieval oak benches and a Jacobean screen, with original door latch and hinges. The font dates from the 15th century and has an octagonal bowl. The church contains a parish chest from the same period and over the south door are the coat of arms of George III dated 1821. There is a ring of three bells. The oldest of which is dated from about 1380. The others were cast in 1694 by Samuel I Smith, and by John Warner & Sons in 1913.

Your support and generosity is what helps us keep the doors to these special places open. We could not do it without you.If you would like to donate to the upkeep and maintenance of St Martin’s please text WHY to 70970 to donate £5 or to 70191 to give £10 every donation really does make a difference to these beautiful churches.

Thank You.

Enjoy a spell of calm reflection with our Mindful Moments: https://izi.travel/en/browse/fbc0691f-49e2-4

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