September: St Swithin’s Church, Sproatley, East Riding of Yorkshire
After the demolition in 1819 of the original medieval church which had stood for centuries, a new enlarged church was built on the same site in 1820. At this time the church incorporated pews for the first time, providing an element of comfort for worshippers absent from the original building!
But the new building did not last long in its original form and was reconstructed in1886, and it is this building still in use today. As well as a new roof and windows, the chancel was extended to house the organ which came from Temple Newsam House, Leeds. The church is built in a Gothic Revival style of grey brick and a graduated slate roof. The late 20th century saw restoration of the bells and electrification of the tower clock.
Around ten years ago the church was found to be in a state of serious structural disrepair. The tower and the porch were both leaning away from the nave and the roof was deemed to have reached the end of its natural life. A fundraising committee was established with strong support from the community to set about raising funds to carry out the necessary and install a toilet and servery to make better use of the building for the community.
Fundraising got off to a good start and then Covid hit which brought things to a halt for some time. As time went on it became clear that the urgent structural work would need to be prioritised and the nave roof and the re-ordering for a second phase of the project.
The YHCT were delighted to support the church with an £8,000 grant, and along with other grants, the generosity of the local community, and even an overseas benefactor who read about the story while researching the history of his surname, the structural repair work was complete in 2025.
This has made the church structurally sound and led to continued fund raising for the re-ordering, which will also include improvements to the heating and lighting, and the nave roof replacement.
One aspect of the work carried out which has attracted the most attention is the restoration of the tower clock. The faces have been redecorated and the clock is now working after being stopped for 16 years!
The church is open daily for visitors and is part of Faith in the North Pilgrims Places .
Completion of the second phase of planned works, including improved facilities, will enable greater use by the local school as part of its curriculum, allow twice‑monthly coffee mornings to be hosted in the church and make concerts and community events more comfortable and welcoming. The church community is grateful for the support received so far and hopes this will continue as efforts progress to keep St Swithin’s a valued place for the village.
St Swithins Church Sproatley | Church location Map
Church Lane
Sproatley
Hull
HU11 4PR
August: St John the Evangelist, Allerston
Nestled in the village of Allerston, near Pickering, St John the Evangelist is a beautiful Grade II* listed church with a history stretching back many centuries.
Although the present building dates mainly from the 14th century, there is thought to have been a place of worship on the site considerably earlier. The church was linked with nearby Ebberston in 1252, when the two churches were separated from Pickering church. At that time, both were dedicated to St Mary the Virgin. The dedication was changed to St John the Evangelist around 1860, and Allerston became an independent parish in 1983.
The church itself is simple and beautifully proportioned, with no side aisles or chapels. Screens divide the nave from the chancel and vestry, while an intriguing spiral staircase from the vestry leads up to the bell chamber and onwards to the roof of the tower.
One of the church’s most fascinating features is its font, recorded as 10th century in the Victoria County History. The main body of the church is 14th century, while the 15th-century tower is particularly noteworthy. Indeed, architectural historian Nikolaus Pevsner regarded it as the most significant tower in the area. The building was subsequently altered during the Victorian period.
The tower underwent major repairs around 20 years ago, supported by grants from English Heritage. Today, the church community is once again working hard to safeguard the building for future generations, with fundraising underway for essential repairs to the chancel and porch.
The PCC is working with the Church Commissioners, who have partial responsibility for the chancel repairs, and it is hoped that this work will be undertaken in early 2027. In the meantime, fundraising continues for the porch, with recent activities including an art, craft and flower festival inspired by the theme “My Favourite Hymn.”
A warm welcome to visitors
St John’s is more than a historic building. It remains an important part of village life and is open daily for visitors.
Inside, visitors can discover a small exhibition exploring the history of the church and village, alongside a library of books and a collection of jigsaws that is well used by local residents.
With its remarkable history, distinctive medieval tower and welcoming community, St John’s Allerston is a wonderful example of Yorkshire’s living church heritage – a place where centuries of history continue to be part of everyday village life.
