St Ricarius Church, Aberford

The Church of St Ricarius, Aberford, West Yorkshire, England, is an active Anglican parish church in the archdeaconry of York and the Diocese of Leeds. It is commonly stated that the dedication refers to the French saint St Richarius or Riquier who is supposed to have visited Aberford in 630.[1][2] However, the church itself has a stained glass window depicting "Ricarius Rex 720" (King Richard) the Saxon King also known as St Richard the Pilgrim.[3]

Ricarius Rex window

St Ricarius Church, Aberford
Church of St Ricarius or St Riquier
53.828854°N 1.343817°W / 53.828854; -1.343817
LocationAberford, West Yorkshire
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
History
StatusParish Church
Architecture
Heritage designationGrade II listed building
Architect(s)Anthony Salvin
Completed1861
Specifications
MaterialsMagnesian limestone
Administration
ProvinceYork

History

Apart from the Norman tower, one Norman window and a 13th-century window, the church is largely an 1861 rebuilding of a 12th-century church by Anthony Salvin.[1][4][5] The church was listed as a grade II listed building on 3 February 1967.[5]

Architectural style

Exterior

The church is of magnesian limestone with a slate roof. The west tower has a short octagonal spire and copies the style of the former tower: it has three stages with a rubble base and from there up is of squared masonry. The belfry has Normal-style round-headed belfry windows on all sides of the third stage and a clock face on the eastern side. There is a nave with both north and south aisles and a gabled porch to the south aisle. The church has a north vestry and a small chancel with south chapel. The chapel has a small priest's door and window.[5] The porch has a sundial dating from 1806.[1]

Interior

The church has four-bay arcades with double-chamfered arches and short cylindrical columns. The chancel arch has a 20th-century figurative painting. There is a two-bay arcade on either side of the chancel and on the north side a Norman lancet, perhaps relocated from the previous church. The church contains the anvil of blacksmith Samuel Hick, who is buried outside. There is an octagonal stone font with an ornate carved wooden cover.[5]

  • Interior
    Interior
  • Carved wooden cover over the font
    Carved wooden cover over the font
  • Clock chamber
    Clock chamber
  • Font and cover
    Font and cover
  • Sundial over porch
    Sundial over porch
  • The choir at the church in the early 20th century
    The choir at the church in the early 20th century

Market Cross
Market Cross at the church

Outside the church's south gate is a former market cross thought to be of 17th-century origin which was relocated here in 1911. Like the church the cross is of magnesian limestone. The cross has two circular steps and a stone pedestal and octagonal plinth. There is a lettered brass plaque claiming the cross was removed during the plague in 1644 and restored and relocated to commemorate the coronation of King George V in 1911.[6]

See also

References
  1. Mee, Arthur (1941). The King's England: Yorkshire West Riding (1st ed.). London: Hodder and Stoughton. p. 17.
  2. Armfield, H. M. (2011). A History of Aberford (2nd ed.). Aberford: available from St Ricarius Church, Aberford. p. 5.
  3. Leeds Intelligencer, Saturday 03 May 1862 p8: "Aberford Church reopening and consecration"
  4. Armfield, H. M. (2011). A History of Aberford (2nd ed.). available from St Ricarius Church, Aberford. pp. 18–19.
  5. "Parish Church of St Ricarius or St Riquier". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  6. "Market Cross Beside South Gate to Church of St Ricarius". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
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