St James' Church, Warter facts for kids
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St James' Church is a special old church located in Warter, a small village in the beautiful Yorkshire Wolds, England. It's part of the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Contents
The Church's Story: How It Began
This church is an important historic building, built in 1862-1863 for Josslyn Francis Pennington, who was the 5th Lord Muncaster. People believe this was the third church built in this exact spot.
Building Style and Design
The church was designed by architects W. G. Habershon and A. R. Pite. They made it look like churches from the 1200s, in a style called Gothic. It's built from smooth stone and has a tiled roof. The church features a tall tower at the west end with a pointed spire. It also has a main hall (called a nave), a porch, a short area for the altar (chancel), and a room for the clergy (vestry).
Saving the Church
In 1990, the church was no longer used for regular services. Now, the Yorkshire Wolds Heritage Centre takes care of it. The church was carefully restored in 2006. This restoration was possible thanks to big grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and LEADER + East Riding. Other groups also helped, like the Normandby Charitable Trust.
Amazing Art and Sculptures
Inside and outside the church, you can find beautiful artworks. There are sculptures by two famous English artists, Sir George Frampton and Gilbert Bayes. The church also has stunning stained-glass windows designed by Robert Anning Bell.
A Look Back: The Priory of Warter
St James' Church stands on a very old and important site. Long ago, in 1132, a large priory (a type of monastery) was founded here by Geoffrey Fitz Pain. This priory was home to Augustinians, also known as Black Canons.
Life at the Priory
Warter Priory was not one of the richest monasteries. However, it owned land and churches in several places. These included Warter, Seaton Ross, Wheldrake, and Lund in the East Riding. It also owned churches in Westmorland. The old priory site is now a protected historical monument, just north of the current church.
The Priory's End
In August 1536, the priory was closed down by the government. At that time, there were 12 canons living there. Two of them tried to bring the monastery back after a big protest against King Henry VIII of England's government. This protest was called the "Pilgrimage of Grace". For their actions, they were arrested and executed in York in February 1537.
New Owners and Changes
In the late 1600s, the Pennington family bought the priory estate. They built a large house called Warter Hall, later known as Warter Priory. This house was about a mile southwest of the village. However, it was taken down in 1972.
The Village of Warter and Its Owners
After a report criticized the village's condition, the Pennington family, now the Lords Muncaster, started rebuilding Warter. This work was continued by Charles Henry Wilson. He was a rich shipowner from Hull and a Member of Parliament. Wilson bought the estate in 1878.
New Lords and Ladies
Charles Henry Wilson became Lord Nunburnholme in 1906 and passed away the next year. From 1907 to 1929, his wife, the Dowager Lady Nunburnholme, managed the village as part of the estate. Later, the estate was bought by George Vestey in 1929, and then by the Marquis of Normanby in 1968. Warter Priory house was demolished in 1972. In 1998, Malcolm Healey purchased the estate.
Other Notable Buildings
Warter village has several interesting buildings. These include a row of cottages with thatched roofs. Manor House Farm, built in 1732, used stone from the old medieval priory that was taken down.
Inside St James' Church: Art and Memorials
The church holds beautiful artworks by Sir George Frampton and Robert Anning Bell.
Sculptures by Sir George Frampton
Frampton created a marble monument for Lady Isabel Wilson. She was the daughter of the 7th Duke of Roxburghe and wife of Guy Greville Wilson. Lady Isabel passed away in 1905 at age 26 during childbirth. Frampton also sculpted the monument for Charles Henry Wilson, the 1st Lord Nunburnholme. This monument includes details that refer to the Wilson family's shipping business. There is also a small plaque by Frampton dedicated to Gerald Valerian Wilson.
Stained-Glass Windows by Robert Anning Bell
Robert Anning Bell designed several stained-glass windows. One window shows Lord and Lady Nunburnholme. It has a border of sailing ships and the coat of arms of Hull. Another window is dedicated to Gerald Valerian Wilson, the Nunburnholmes' son. He passed away at the age of 23 in 1908. The church also has several memorials and writings dedicated to members of the Pennington family.
Restored Windows
In 2011, two more stained-glass windows by Robert Anning Bell were put back in the church's main hall. These windows had been stored away since 1966 and were restored. They used to be in a special building called a mausoleum in the churchyard. This mausoleum held Lady Isabel Wilson's remains and her marble statue. One window shows Lady Isabel and her baby being carried to heaven by angels, with her husband watching. The other window shows Lady Isabel's good qualities, like Courage, Hope, and "Love to the Death," surrounded by child-angel musicians.
The Churchyard: Resting Place and Sculptures
On the north side of the churchyard is the private burial ground for the Wilson family, the Lords Nunburnholme.
Bronze Sculptures by Gilbert Bayes
There are two bronze sculptures by Gilbert Bayes, who was a student of Sir George Frampton. Bayes was an important artist in the "New Sculpture Movement". One sculpture honors the 1st Lord Nunburnholme, who passed away in 1907. It shows the figure of Victory holding a laurel wreath. The other sculpture, closer to the church, remembers his youngest son, Gerald Valerian Wilson. This one shows a standing angel with a halo, reading from the Book of John. Sadly, smaller parts of these memorials were stolen many years ago. These two sculptures were originally in the Italian Garden of Warter Priory. They were moved to St James' Church in 1929. They stand near a flat tomb for the 2nd Lord Nunburnholme and a grave slab for Edith, Countess of Chesterfield, who was the daughter of the 1st Lord Nunburnholme.
The Mausoleum's History
A classical mausoleum was once built next to the church. It held Sir George Frampton's memorial to Lady Isabel Wilson. This mausoleum was taken down in 1966, and the memorial was moved inside the church. Today, a grass-covered mound marks where it used to be. You can see a quick glimpse of the mausoleum in an old film called "The East Riding" from the Yorkshire Film Archive.
Wildlife Habitat
The rest of the churchyard is being cared for as a place where wildlife can live and thrive.
See also
- Warter
- Warter Priory
