St Oswald's Church, Sowerby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Oswald's Church |
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The Parish Church of St Oswald
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| OS grid reference | SE 43115 81374 |
| Location | Sowerby, North Yorkshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 20 June 1966 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of York |
| Province | Province of York |
St Oswald's Church is a special old Church of England church in Sowerby, North Yorkshire, England. It is a parish church, which means it serves the local community. The church is named after Oswald of Northumbria, a famous king from long ago.
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History of St Oswald's Church
The very first church building in Sowerby was likely built around the year 1140. Some parts of this ancient church are still visible today. For example, the beautiful south doorway was probably built in the 11th century. Most of the stone in the south wall of the main part of the church, called the nave, is also from the Middle Ages.
Changes Over the Centuries
The church's tower was built in the 15th century. It still has parts of the original Norman architecture church inside it. The tower also has a special opening called a hagioscope. This allowed people to see the altar (the table used for religious services) from different parts of the church.
In 1842, the church was restored and made bigger. This was done in a style that looked like the old Norman buildings. Later, in 1883, more repairs and changes were made. An open wooden lantern with a slated spire was added above the chancel crossing, which is where the main body of the church meets the chancel (the area around the altar).
In 1902, the north wall was changed into an arcade, which is a row of arches. A large new section called a north aisle was also built. This made the church much more spacious.
Modern Updates and Heritage
In the 1980s, the church was updated again. A new, free-standing altar was added. This change helped make worship feel more personal for the people attending.
St Oswald's Church is considered a very important historical building. In 1966, it was given a special status as a Grade II* listed building. This means it is a building of "more than special interest" and is protected.
Churchyard Memorials
The churchyard (the area around the church) is also a place of remembrance. It contains two Commonwealth war graves. These are the burial places of a young airman from the First World War and a soldier from the Second World War. They are a reminder of those who served in these major conflicts.
Gallery
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This is the old Norman doorway, built many centuries ago.
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The font is where baptisms take place.
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Here you can see the altar and the chancel crossing.
