Ss Leonard & Mary, Malton facts for kids

St Leonard and Mary, Malton
Country	England
Denomination	Catholic
Website	http://www.malton-catholic.org
History
Status	Active
Dedication	St Leonard, St Mary
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II*
Designated	29 September 1951
Years built	12th Century
Administration
Diocese	Middlesbrough

Ss Leonard & Mary Catholic Church is a very old church located in Malton, North Yorkshire, England. It is now a Catholic church serving the local community. This building is special because it is a "Grade II* listed building," which means it's an important historic place protected by the government. It still has at least 24 old carvings from the Middle Ages.

A sign outside the church explains its history. It says the church started in the 1100s. It was first a small chapel connected to a larger priory (a type of monastery) in Old Malton. In 1971, the Church of England gave this church to the Roman Catholic Church. This was a friendly gesture between the two churches.

This church, built in the mid-to-late 1100s, is the oldest church currently used by Catholics in England. Before this, St Etheldreda's in London, built between 1250 and 1290, held that title. St Leonard's is also the first local church in England to return to Catholic use after the Reformation.

The Church's Early Days

The first time St. Leonard's is mentioned in history is around the year 1150. At that time, it was given to the Gilbertine order. This group of monks and nuns used it as a "chapel of ease." This means it was a smaller church for people who lived too far from the main Malton Priory. The priory was about a mile away in "old" Malton.

The church's tower was built much later, in the 1400s. It first had a tall, pointed stone roof called a spire. Later, this stone spire was replaced with one made of wood and slate.

Changes Over Time

Around December 1539, the church became part of the new Church of England. This happened when King Henry VIII closed many monasteries, including the Malton Priory. This event is known as the dissolution of the monasteries.

In 1768, eight bells were added to the church tower. These bells were made by a famous company called Lester and Pack. Later, in 1897, a clock was put in the tower. This was to celebrate Queen Victoria's 60th year as queen, known as her Diamond Jubilee.

Over many centuries, the church building changed a lot. In 1907, an architect named Charles Hodgson Fowler worked to restore it. During this work, some windows on the north side were replaced. Also, the south walls of the main part of the church (the nave) and the area near the altar (the chancel) were rebuilt.

Returning to Catholic Use

In 1969, the Church of England decided to close St Leonard's. Then, in 1971, they gave it to the Roman Catholic Church. This was a kind and friendly act. At that time, the church's name was changed to include St Mary. This was because the Catholic community moved from their old chapel, St Mary's, in Wells Street, Malton.

To mark this move, a beautiful stained glass window from the old St Mary's chapel was brought to St Leonard's. It was a physical reminder of the community's new home.

In 1988 and 1989, the inside of the church was changed again. A raised platform with an altar was placed in the middle of the main seating area. The seats were then arranged around this new altar. The old chancel area was kept as a special chapel for the Blessed Sacrament. An open screen now separates it from the main part of the church.

See also

• Grade II* listed buildings in North Yorkshire (district)
• Listed buildings in Malton, North Yorkshire (outer areas)