At-risk St Mary’s Church in Sand Hutton gets £15,000 for repairs

The Grade II-listed St Mary’s church is on the Buildings At Risk Register and the £15,000 will help fund essential repairs maintain and sustain the Gothic-style building.

The work includes the complete re-roofing of the spire in oak shingles and stone repairs to the tower and lower walls.

The repair work to its spire, tower, masonry and rainwater goods is urgently needed to enable St Mary’s to remain open for worship.

As a result of the project St Mary’s will be in much improved condition, structurally more stable and weather tight.

"If it is not carried out now there is serious risk that this wonderful historic building will be lost to current and future generations as it will deteriorate, becoming financially unviable.

The Rev Chris Wingfield, rector of the Harton Benefice, said: “We are extremely grateful to National Churches Trust for their generous grant towards the essential repair work to St Mary’s church.

"Without their help, and the gifts of other benefactors, we would not be able to maintain and sustain our beautiful, historic building which is so integral to our faith, worship and community witness.”

The project also aims to provide a new kitchen, toilet and heritage display to encourage greater use within the community and the wider area.

St Mary’s is located in a Conservation Area. It was built in 1840 by Salvin, replacing the 12th century church of St Leonard’s, the ruins of which stand behind St Mary’s.

The church contains some fine stained glass windows, several by Kempe.

In a vault in the churchyard is buried Col Michael Childers, 11th Light Dragoons, who died at Sand Hutton in 1854.

He fought in the Peninsular War and at the Battle of Waterloo and served 13 years in India.

Close beside this vault is the grave of John Acomb who died in 1849. He was a corporal in the 2nd Life Guards.

The Waterloo Medal he received is in the regimental Museum of the Household Cavalry at Windsor.