Church of St Michael, Markington

NEW CHURCH AT MARKINGTON. The new church of St. Michael, at Markington, in the parish of Ripon, which was consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon on the 29th Oct. is a very beautiful little structure, erected from the design of Mr. A. H. Cates. of York, in the early or geometrical Decorated style. It stands on a commodious and picturesque site, closely adjacent to the village, the gift of E. H. Reynard, esq. The plan consists of chancel, with sacristy on the north, nave, and south porch. The western gable is surmounted by an open belfry with two bells. The chancel, elevated by one step, is of full size, with priest's door on the south, and is parted from the nave by a good carved oak rood-screen. The altar is of stone, raised on three steps, and having the five crosses patee incised on the table. In the south wall are a piscina and two sedilia. On the south side of the chancel arch, within the nave, is a double stone reading-pew, where the prayers are said towards the north, and the lessons read to the people towards the west. On the other side of the chancel-arch a stone pulpit projects from the wall, with access from the sacristy. On the left hand, entering the church from the porch, stands the stone font, of good design. The porch is fitted with stone seats on the sides. All the roofs are open, of admirable pitch, forming equilateral triangles. The trusses of the nave roof are of oak, resting on stone corbels; the other timbers are of deal stained. The roofs of the chancel and porch are boarded upon the spars, those of the nave and sacristy ceiled between the spars. The east window is a copy of the well-known window at Dunchurch, in Gloucestershire. It is filled with stained glass from the works of the Messrs. Wailes, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and is worthy of the admiration it has received from all who have beheld it. In the centre light is a figure of Christ on the cross, with the four Evangelistic symbols at the corners, and surmounted by an Agnus Dei. In the lower part is a figure of St. Michael and the Dragon. In the dexter light is a figure of the Blessed Virgin, above which is the monogram of Maria; and in the lower part the Agony in the Garden. In the sinister light, a figure of St. John the Evangelist, surmounted by his badge, a winged serpent issuing from a chalice; and below, Christ bearing his Cross. In the heads of these two side-lights are angels bearing scrolls, with the scripture, " Non mea voluntas,"—" sed tua fiat." In the centre of the tracery, in the head of the window, the triangle trefoiled has the shield of the Trinity. The upper spherical triangle has the usual representation of the Trinity, surrounded by the sun, moon, and stars; and the two at the sides, angels bearing scrolls, with Scriptures. The side windows are lancets, with cusped heads. The west window, of two lights, is copied from the very elegant decorated windows at Great Haseley, Oxfordshire. The church has kneeling for more than 200 worshippers, and has been erected for less than £900. including also the expense of the walls round half an acre of burial ground, the communion plate, &c. &c. The family of the late Wm. Wilberforce, Esq. give £1000 towards the endowment. The Ven. R. J. Wilberforce, Archdeacon of the East Riding, said prayers on the day of dedication, and the Ven. S. Wilberforce, Archdeacon of Surrey, preached. The sermon, at the unanimous request of the Bishop, clergy, and laity assembled, is to be published. It is intended to proceed with the erection of a parsonage-house forthwith, for which E. H. Reynard, Esq. has also given a suitable site of two acres of land.

Reference           The Gentleman’s Magazine Vol XXIII (v177) Jan June 1845 Jan 1845 page 75-76