Between the village of Embsay and neighbouring Eastby lies the village church, St Mary's. It's a Victorian church consecrated in 1853, and built to serve the mill workers and poorer people of the parish. Previously they'd used a room in the school for worship or had to travel to Skipton to the parish church there. In the 19th century there were six cotton spinning mills in the village, with a large population of workers needed to staff them.
The church is in an attractive setting within a graveyard and with a lych gate at the entrance. I was happy to discover it was open to visitors. It's not fancy inside but has some very lovely stained glass.
The window behind the altar is especially fine, depicting the Ascension in glorious saturated colours. It was made by a Belgian artist, John Baptiste Capronnier, and cost £250 at the time, equivalent to nearly £40,000 today. You know my love of stained glass. I think it's an under-appreciated art form, with fine pieces like this scattered throughout our churches and not able to be brought together in exhibitions as paintings are.
Another window commemorates Rev'd Charles Vernon Brown, vicar here for 40 years from 1884 to 1924. That was made by Shrigley and Hunt, a Lancashire stained glass maker, according to the church's website.
There was every sign that St Mary's has a lively worshipping community, which is good to see in this day and age.
Beautiful! Though I'm not a believer, I'd love to attend services there.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the stained glass, though I really wouldn't want them in a gallery -- much more fun discovering them in out-of-the way country churches.
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely windows.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stained glass.
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