Selby Abbey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Selby Abbey |
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The West Front
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| OS grid reference | SE615323 |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Previous denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | www.selbyabbey.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founded | 1069 |
| Founder(s) | Benedict of Auxerre |
| Dedication | St Mary the Virgin and St Germain |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 16 December 1952 |
| Style | Romanesque, Decorated Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1069–1465 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Selby |
| Deanery | Selby |
| Archdeaconry | York |
| Diocese | York |
| Province | York |
Selby Abbey is an old Benedictine abbey that is now a parish church in Selby, North Yorkshire, England. It's one of England's important churches, known for its long history and beautiful architecture.
Contents
History of Selby Abbey
Selby Abbey was founded by a person named Benedict of Auxerre in 1069. It was later built by the de Lacy family. This church is one of the few medieval abbey churches that are still standing today. Even though it's not a cathedral, it's one of the largest churches around.
Early Years and Important Privileges
On May 31, 1256, the abbey was given a special privilege by Pope Alexander IV. This meant its abbot could wear a mitre, a special hat worn by bishops. This made Selby a "Mitred Abbey," a very important status that lasted until the monasteries were closed down.
Challenges and Changes Over Time
The abbey faced some challenges over the years. In 1275, a church leader visited and found some monks and the abbot were not following the rules very well. They were asked to improve their behavior and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict.
In the early 1300s, the community rebuilt part of the church called the choir. However, in 1340, a fire damaged several parts of the abbey, including the chapter house and parts of the church. The damage was fixed, and new decorated windows were added.
By 1380, there were 25 monks living at the abbey. In 1393, the Pope offered a special indulgence to people who helped pay for repairs to a chapel inside the abbey.
Later Additions and the End of the Monastic Era
More changes were made in the 1400s. New windows were added, and special seats for priests called sedilia were put in the sanctuary. One of the last additions was the Latham Chapel in 1465.
In 1539, during a time when many monasteries in England were closed, Selby Abbey also surrendered. At that time, the abbey had an abbot and 23 monks.
Selby Abbey After the Monks Left
After the monasteries were closed, the church was empty for a while. But in 1618, it became the parish church for the town of Selby. During the English Civil War, the building was damaged. A window was destroyed, and statues were pulled down.
Like York Minster, Selby Abbey is built on sand, which caused it to sink a bit over time. Parts of the church collapsed in the 1600s, including the central tower in 1690. The tower was rebuilt, but a part of the church called the south transept was not.
In the 1700s, the choir area was used for services, but the main part of the church, the nave, was used for other things.
Restoration Efforts
The church was restored several times to bring it back to its former glory. Sir George Gilbert Scott worked on it from 1871 to 1873, making the nave usable again. His son, John Oldrid Scott, continued the work from 1889 to 1890, restoring the choir. The tower was also restored in the early 1900s. A beautiful screen behind the altar, called a reredos, was added in 1901.
The Fire of 1906
On October 19, 1906, a fire broke out at the abbey. Organ builders had been working late, and shortly after midnight, the organist saw flames. The fire destroyed the roof of the choir and the bells. All the things inside were also ruined. However, the local firefighters managed to save a very old stained glass window from the 1300s.
Another small fire started in the nave roof the next day but was quickly put out.
The abbey was rebuilt under the guidance of John Oldrid Scott. It cost a lot of money, about £50,000 at the time. The abbey reopened in 1909. The restoration of the south transept was finished in 1912.
Modern Times
In 1952, Selby Abbey was given a special status as a Grade I listed building. This means it's a very important historical building.
In 2002, the abbey had a big restoration project that cost millions of pounds. This included fixing the Scriptorium and the South choir Aisle. The "Washington Window" was also restored. The World Monuments Fund helped a lot with repairs to the outside of the building, including the roof.
The Washington Window
One special part of the abbey is the Washington Window, which is from the 1400s. It shows the family crest of George Washington's ancestors. George Washington was the first president of the United States.
People believe this window is in the Abbey because one of George Washington's ancestors, John Wessington, helped the monastery financially. This design is thought to be one of the oldest images that looks like the Flag of the United States. Selby Abbey is part of the 'American Trail' in the UK, which highlights places with strong American historical connections.
Music at Selby Abbey
Music has been a part of Selby Abbey for a very long time, going back to when it was founded in the 1000s. Back then, the monks would sing plainsong during their daily services.
Today, the music during services includes singing by the Abbey's choir, organ music, and hymns sung by everyone. The Abbey choir has about 35 adults and children. They are mostly volunteers, but the Abbey also has special scholarships for singers and a professional Assistant Organist and Director of Music. The young singers in the choir get a full music education.
The choir sings at services every Sunday and on some evenings. They also perform at special services, weddings, and concerts. In 2022, a Junior Choir was started for younger children aged five and up.
The Abbey also hosts many concerts throughout the year, featuring choirs, orchestras, and other musicians. The Selby Abbey Trust organizes a yearly series of organ concerts with performers from all over the world.
The Organ
The current organ at Selby Abbey is very impressive. It was built in 1909 by William Hill & Son after the previous organ was destroyed in the 1906 fire. The old organ had been rebuilt several times and moved around the church before the fire.
The current organ has 67 "speaking stops" and 4 keyboards. Many of its pipes are in two large cases designed by John Oldrid Scott. Some of the huge pipes are located high up in the Triforium, overlooking the main part of the church.
The organ was first restored in 1950. In the early 1960s, a famous Italian organ player named Fernando Germani made recordings at the Abbey, which made the organ known around the world. More changes and additions were made in 1975.
By the 2010s, the organ was getting old and needed more work. A big restoration project was completed in 2016 to make sure it continues to sound amazing for many years to come.
Images for kids
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The West Front
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The Nave inside Selby Abbey
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Movement in the stonework near the central tower
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Selby Abbey after the fire in 1906
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The Coat of arms of the Washington family in a stained glass window at Selby Abbey
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The east end of the Abbey, showing the organ and choir stalls
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The organ at Selby Abbey, built in 1909 by William Hill & Son, with its case designed by John Oldrid Scott
