Church of St Anne, Catterick facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church of St Anne
St Anne's Church
Church of St Anne, Catterick
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
OS grid reference	SE240970
Location	Catterick, North Yorkshire
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
Weekly attendance	40 (average 2015)
History
Founded	1412
Dedication	Saint Anne
Consecrated	1415
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architectural type	Gothic Perpendicular
Administration
Parish	Catterick with Tunstall
Deanery	Richmond
Archdeaconry	Richmond & Craven
Diocese	Leeds

The Church of St Anne is a historic church in the village of Catterick, England. People have worshipped here for a very long time, possibly since the 600s! The main church building you see today was built in the early 1400s. However, some of its stones are even older, from an earlier church on the same spot. The church is named after Saint Anne, who is believed to be the grandmother of Jesus Christ.

One cool fact about this church is its building contract. It's one of the oldest contracts ever written in the English language. This document helps us understand how people spoke in Northern England long ago. Also, a small part of the church is dedicated to the Royal Air Force Regiment. Their main base was once very close by.

History of the Church

Early Days in Catterick

People believe that St Paulinus baptized new Christians in the River Swale near Catterick in the 600s. A famous historian named The Venerable Bede wrote about a church here in the same century. Even two Anglo-Saxon kings of Northumbria got married in Catterick. The Domesday Book, a very old record from 1086, also mentions a church in the village.

In Anglo-Saxon times, many holy places didn't have big buildings. They often had a cross to show it was a special site. Parts of an old Anglo-Saxon cross have been found here. Some pieces are in the church wall, and others are in a museum at the University of Cambridge.

Building the Current Church

The Church of St Anne stands on Church Green in Catterick village. The current building started being built in 1412. The people who paid for it were Dame Katherine de Brugh and her son, William. They hired a stonemason named Richard of Cracall.

Their agreement, or contract, is very important. It's one of the oldest contracts written in the English language. Scholars study it because it shows how people spoke in Northern England back then. The contract said Richard had to finish the church by June 1415. He could only be late if there was a sudden war or a terrible sickness.

What the Church Looked Like

The first part of the church was about 55 feet long and 22 feet wide. It had two side sections, called aisles, with a main area (nave) and a special area for the altar (chancel). The tower, vestry, and porches were added later in the same century. The tower is about 57 feet tall. Even though it wasn't in the first contract, they planned for a tower from the start.

William de Burgh, one of the church's founders, died in 1442. He was buried in the church. His grandson later added more sections, including the Chantry of St James. These additions were made for the de Burgh family's burials.

Inside the Church

The church has a special stone basin called a font. It was carved soon after the church was built. The font has eight sides and is decorated with the family symbols (coats of arms) of important local families. It was once thought to be marble, but it's actually shiny black limestone.

Inside, you can also see many plaques and monuments. One is a statue of Sir Walter Urswick. He was a knight who fought in a big battle in 1371. He also worked at Richmond Castle.

Changes Over Time

The church has seen some tough times. It was damaged by cannons during the First English Civil War. German bombers also damaged it during the Second World War.

In 1658, a Reverend named Michael Syddall gave money to start a hospital and school. This school was used for many years, until 1974. The local primary school today is still named the Michael Syddall School. Above the church door, there is a sundial. It has a Latin saying: Fugit hora, ora, which means Time flies, pray.

In 1816, Alexander John Scott became the vicar. He was famous for being the chaplain to Horatio Nelson and was with him when Nelson was fatally wounded.

The church has been repaired and updated twice. In 1851, the pews were made uniform. In 1872, more changes were made, including to the upper windows (clerestory). The beautiful stained glass window at the east end shows The Last Supper. It was put in in 1862. Other stained glass windows were added later, in 1896 and 1900.

Churchyard and Listings

The churchyard has graves from both World Wars. Many of the people buried there from the 1939–1945 war were from the Royal Air Force. This is because RAF Catterick was nearby. There is also a memorial inside the church for two RAF squadrons that were based at RAF Catterick.

The Church of St Anne was given a special "Grade I listed" status in 1969. This means it's a very important historic building. Its old gateposts were also listed in 1987.

In April 2018, the church asked the local community for help. They needed more money to keep the church open.

RAF Regiment Connection

A special part of the north side of the church is known as the Royal Air Force Regiment Chapel. The RAF Regiment had its main base at RAF Catterick from 1946 to 1994. After that, they moved to a different base.

In 1992, during the RAF Regiment's 50th anniversary, The Queen gave them a new flag, or "colour." Their old flag was placed in the RAF Regiment Chapel at the Church of St Anne. The chapel also has a stained glass window that remembers those who died serving in the RAF Regiment. It shows their badges and a memorial message.

Even though the RAF Regiment moved away in 1994, the chapel at the Church of St Anne is still considered their "home chapel."

See also

• Grade I listed buildings in North Yorkshire (district)
• Listed buildings in Catterick, North Yorkshire

Gallery

• 

  Left window of RAF Regiment Chapel, Church of St Anne, Catterick

• 

  Right window of RAF Regiment Chapel, Church of St Anne, Catterick

• 

  Font in the Church of St Anne, Catterick

• 

  East window in the Church of St Anne, Catterick

• 

  Effigy of Sir Walter Urswick in the Church of St Anne, Catterick