St Augustine’s in Skirlaugh is described by Pevsner as “a perfect piece of Perpendicular architecture”, its exterior not having been altered from its original design. The church was built between 1401 and 1405 by Bishop Walter de Skirlaw, who was then Bishop of Durham.
The discovery of stonework separating from the windows was the start of the identification of major repairs needed to secure the building, to which the YHCT were delighted to contribute £6385 towards in October 2021.
The church is run as an Anglican and Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership and used by the village school, the Brownies and the community choir.
The church is a much- loved building and the local community have rallied round to help with the fundraising efforts, which have included an open gardens day in the village and a dog show.
John Hallaway, from St Augustine’s, said: “We are delighted to receiving funding from the YHCT towards the costs of the vital repairs needed at St Augustine’s. The church plays an important role in the local community, hosting a weekly coffee morning, and offering a repository for flowers for those who have sadly died during the pandemic. This funding will help with the overall cost of the repair works needed to secure the future of the building”.