OS grid reference SE 486 757 Denomination Anglican Architectural type Church | Country England Former name(s) Birdforth Old Chapel Designated as world heritage site 20 June 1966 | |
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Location Birdforth, North Yorkshire Website Churches Conservation Trust Similar Knavesmire, Kirkham Priory, RAF Scorton, Coronation Chair | ||
St Mary's Church, or Birdforth Old Chapel, is a redundant Anglican church in the village of Birdforth, North Yorkshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.
Contents
History
The fabric of the church dates from the 12th century, with additions or alterations in the 16–17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The church was declared redundant on 1 November 1975, and was vested in the Trust on 20 October 1978.
Exterior
The church is constructed in stone rubble and has a roof of interlocking tiles. Its plan is simple, consisting of a four-bay nave and a single-bay chancel. At the corner are quoins. At the west end is a brick bellcote with louvred bell openings. Its roof is covered in Welsh slates, is pyramidal in shape, and at its apex is an iron finial. At the east end on the chancel gable is a cross. In the south wall of the nave is a round-arched doorway, to the right of which are two round-arched two-light windows.
Interior
Internally there is a round chancel arch. In the north wall of the chancel is a carved stone coat of arms dated 1585. The lectern dates from the 17th century and the pulpit from about 1700. The font is from the 12th century and consists of a circular tub on a later base, with a 17th century cover. In the chancel is a tomb, probably from the 14th century, the top of which is carved with a sword.