Three fascinating churches in Holderness are throwing open their doors to welcome visitors for a new initiative being piloted by the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust titled ‘Yorkshire Churches Day’.
Yorkshire Churches Day is an occasion where everyone is encouraged to visit their local place of worship even if they have never stepped foot inside a church before. It will be a day for those who are curious about the history and heritage of their local surroundings.
St Patrick’s church in Patrington, St Mary’s in Welwick and St Germain’s in Winestead are all taking part in the day, and will be telling stories and bringing to life the variety, beauty, history and sheer wonder of their buildings.
St Patrick’s in Patrington, known as the Queen of Holderness, is a Grade 1 listed, striking church, with an 80ft tower. It is said you are never alone in the church as there are over 200 faces of people, animals and mythical grotesques looking down at you from the walls and arches. St Patrick’s will be hosting a flower festival on Saturday 10th September and look forward to welcoming visitors.
St Mary’s in Welwick has a fascinating history. Guy Fawkes’ co-conspirators, the Wright brothers, lived close to Welwick church and their family burial plots can be found in the churchyard. The church also hosts a display telling the story of Mary Ward, from the same Wright family. Mary was a great pioneer of girls’ education and founded an order of nuns to educate Catholic women. There is still a world-wide association of Mary Ward Catholic schools.
St Germain’s Church in Winestead sits in the middle of a field with the site of the Hildyards’ medieval moated manor house behind. The poet, Andrew Marvel, was born here when his father was the rector, but the real gems of this church are the memorials to one family, the Hildyards, from the early middle ages to the present day. The church hosts a treasure trove of high quality monuments and other church furnishings.
All three churches look forward to welcoming visitors on the 10th September for Yorkshire Churches Day.
