Church reaches for the sky (From Gazette & Herald)

Church reaches for the sky

ALDWARK, a few miles from Easingwold, is an old settlement dating from Roman times, when a Roman road crossed the river at Aldwark Ferry.

But the Church of St Stephen was not built until 1852.

It is a neat building, erected by Lady Frankland Russell, in the style of Henry VIII's period, to the plans of Mr E B Lambe.

Externally, the building, with pebble and bricks, looks antique and attractive, the bricks being formed in herringbone pattern, alternating with the pebble rubble.

The church comprises a nave, chancel, north and south transepts, the whole forming a cross. On the south side of the nave is an elegant tower and spire.

The rear window in the chancel is circular, filled with tracery, and on each side of the chancel is a small circular window.

The west-end window, which is the principle source of light, is in honour of St Stephen, and depicts scenes of his death. The window was dedicated by John Brotherton, of Aldwark, who died in March, 1885.

Updated: 10:04 Wednesday, January 21, 2004