Since we moved out of York, and further into North Yorkshire, we wanted to spend more time visiting and exploring the quaint villages nearby. Today, we visit St. Andrew’s Church in Kirby Grindalythe. We were lucky enough to visit when it was covered in snow a few weeks ago.
Kirby Grindalythe is a small village east of Malton and is in the Yorkshire Wolds. The name of the village is derived from Old Norse. Kirby means “village with a church”, the Grindal element is a distortion of Cranedale, meaning “valley with cranes” and lythe is from Old Norse “hlíõ” meaning slope.
There’s the church and the Cranedale Centre which is a residential field studies centre. Other than the village hall and a very small post office, there isn’t much else in Kirby Grindalythe other than houses and fields. But that doesn’t mean this quaint little village should be overlooked.
It’s a lovely little place with a few unnamed roads, and the Gypsey Race also runs through the village. It’s said to be the northernmost Winterbourne chalk stream in the UK.
St Andrew’s Church
More about the church, it’s an impressive building and has a prominent spire. It dates from the 12th century but has a very Victorian look thanks to the stunning restoration by G.E. Street led by Sir Tatton Sykes II. A part of the Sykes Churches Trail, this church is now a proud example of North Yorkshire’s history.
G.E. Street’s restoration of St Andrew’s Church in the 19th century brought a new life to its medieval charm. They reconstructed the chancel to its original state and added a new nave. The first church here dates to the Saxon period, and the current building retains bits of that early church and the following Norman church
The wooden screens, carved alabaster and ornate reredos (a decorative screen or structure that is placed behind the altar in a church) of marble reflect his artistic touch. George Edmund Street also added stained glass windows by Clayton & Bell, filling the space with colour and light.
Inside, an ornate reredos decorates the altar space. Fine details include religious scenes and patterns from medieval times. It feels very traditional and lets you get a glimpse of the earlier origins of worship here in the Great Wold Valley churches. The whole of the west wall of the nave is covered with breathtaking mosaic by the Venice and Murano Glass Company.
Such touches are rare in rural churches around Wolds Valley. These details make St Andrew quite unique compared to nearby churches, such as St Mary or Holy Trinity.
Community Efforts in Preserving the Church
The people of Kirby Grindalythe worked hard to preserve St. Andrew Church and stop it from closing around 2004. Villagers organised events at the village hall to raise money for repairs. There were fundraising events such as a sponsored swim, a flower festival and treasure hunts. Local historians shared stories about the church’s Middle Ages history to inspire support.
Restoration focused on areas like the tower, floors, roofs and stained glass windows. Lay readers and volunteers from nearby towns joined in cleaning efforts. It got some attention in the press, which kept everyone updated on progress.
The villages managed to raise £6000 and get grants totalling £350,000 from English Heritage.
In 2010, the church went on to win a national award from English Heritage.
Visit St Andrew’s in Kirby Grindalythe
If you’re in the area, this medieval church is a wonderful place to see, but it’s probably not a place you would go for the day as there’s nothing else in the village to see, unless you want to go for walks around the nearby paths and fields! There’s even a book swap, you can take a book and leave one, or take one and leave a small donation, so if you’re a keen reader, you could even walk away with a bookish treasure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kirby Grindalythe church? St Andrew’s is located in the centre of Kirby Grindalythe village in the Yorkshire Wolds, North Yorkshire.
Is there parking at the church? There is no dedicated car park, but there is limited, sensible roadside parking available near the village phone box and along the main street.
Is Kirby Grindalythe church part of the Sykes Churches Trail? Yes, it is one of the key churches restored by Sir Tatton Sykes II and architect G.E. Street, famous for its elaborate Victorian interior and Italian mosaics.
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Thank you for the stories and pictures. My 3rd great grandfather John Oxendale was the parish clerk for 40 years back in the 1800’s. Would love to visit someday.
Ohhh that is amazing! It’s a lovely little church and It’s managed to stay open!