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- Lead, North Yorkshire (St Mary's Church)
Since being rescued by a group of walkers in 1931, St Mary's has been known as the Ramblers’ Church. The repairs made then are recorded on the back of the church door. The church stands alone in the middle of a field filled with the bumps and furrows of earthworks that indicate the site of a Medieval manor house, for which St Mary’s was probably originally the chapel.
Nearby is Towton, the site of the War of the Roses battle, believed to be bloodiest in English history which brought the Wars of the Roses to an end in 1461. Ten thousand men are said to have been killed, and Cock Beck, the little stream which you cross to get to St Mary’s, is said to have run red with blood. You can find monuments to crusading knights in this tiny 14th-century church.
Despite its awesome history, St Mary’s is a peaceful place. The tiny rectangular building is very simple. It was probably built by the Tyas family, whose massive grave slabs are set into the floor. Carved with heraldic symbols and inscriptions, and dating from the 13th-century, they are an important and interesting collection.
Later additions were made to the church in the 18th-century, with a rustic pulpit, clerk’s pew, reading desk and painted texts.
To locate this church on a map, click on the 'View on map' link that appears below the address information at the top of the page.
5 miles south of Tadcaster, off B1217; church in a field opposite the Crooked Billet pub near Saxton
Nearest railway station: Church Fenton (2 miles)
SE 464 369
01/05/12
Following on from the success of our Discover Wallpaintings project last year we are delighted to announce the launch of…
St Michael's Church, Cowthorpe, North Yorkshire
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Heritage site
Clifford's Tower, York
It's the stunning view you get of the historic city of York that makes Clifford's Tower one of the most popular attractions in Yorkshire.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Click on images to view larger
The CCT is grateful to the Flickr group, Friends of the Churches Conservation Trust, for the images shown here. CCT is not responsible for the quality or content of images taken from Flickr.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church and the CCT before you visit?
You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walkround guides we have for this church.
Yorkshire County Guide (PDF, 4.9mb)
This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches CCT cares for in North, South and West Yorkshire. Printed copies of the county guides are also available at the church.
St Michael's Church, Cowthorpe, North Yorkshire
A Medieval church with beautiful heraldic glass
Oak Road, Cowthorpe, Wetherby, North Yorkshire, LS22 5EZ
See church page
All Saints' Church, Harewood, West Yorkshire
A fashion parade of effigies. A church from our finest shortlist.
Harewood Park, Harewood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS17 9LG
See church page
Church of St John the Evangelist, Leeds, West Yorkshire
The oldest church in Leeds. A church from our finest shortlist.
23 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JD
See church page
Clifford's Tower, York It's the stunning view you get of the historic city of York that makes Clifford's Tower one of the most popular attractions in Yorkshire. http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/cliffords-tower-york
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
All our North Yorkshire churches are in CCT’s North region.
Discover North Yorkshire tourism website
Days out with the kids in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway
A history of North Yorkshire in 10 objects
The City of York and District Family History Society
Family History Section of Yorkshire Archaeological Society
Yorkshire Archaeological Society
Last year, we welcomed over two million visitors to our churches. If each person donated just £2, this would enable us to keep our churches open, safe and watertight for you and future generations to enjoy.
Text code 'OCCT05' to 70070 to donate now (free from all networks).
Or use the button below to donate online.
If the access information for this church is listed as 'Keyholder nearby', this means that the key is kept by one of our invaluable volunteer 'keyholders', who usually live just a short walk from the church and can give visitors the key; sometimes this is a nearby hotel, pub, library, art gallery or other venue. You will find instructions explaining how to get the key when you arrive at the church.
Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number of them have heating or running water meaning that they can be cold, and very rarely have toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor. We do apologise for any inconvenience the lack of facilities may cause.
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Stunning little church in a unique location, so many people drive by without stopping, do yourself a favour , stop, walk, visit and enjoy a few minutes peace.
We decided to have a walk across the field today to where it is,our family after a delicious Sunday dinner at The Crooked Billet pub..and looked quite a beautiful sight smack in the middle of the field.., it is and well cared looked after a credit to who does it takes the time..and noticed some lovely flowers/ carnations adorned the altar and a very nice touch lovingly placed there,,.... very peaceful and calming just sat inside for awhile especially in this day and age where it's so fast living , no one's time to stop and smell the lovely flowers along lifes way,and just gaze at nice scenery and ancient buildings,and churches..steeped in history .. we quite enjoyed it .. and was even more suprised to find the church door was left open like it used to be all hours.. and a nice welcome to all sign there..all in all a very nice visit.. for awhile away from the hectic pace of modern day life(: and well done to all who take care and look after it, you should be proud..of it..a credit to you too..keep up the good work....
A Lovely Church, we were walking from Aberford when the hail stones came bouncing down so we stopped at the church for shelter, once inside we could see what people have been missing by walking past.
I would like to know more info on this church.. from my research my ancestors built this church can anyone give me more info on this little church please.. I would like one day soon to come there and see it..
My sister & her husband who live in Wakefield showed myself & my wife Lynn this church during a recent visit to stay with them.
As I am interested in old churches I was fascinated when I saw St Marys & thought it was a credit to the people who look after it.
Well worth a visit if ever you are in the area.
Tim Tyus I too am a Tyus decendant I have seen a painting of this
Chapel in my Uncle Marvin Maxwells house. While on a vist to Italty
and England I went to North Yorkshire to locate it. We did, how
humbling it was to walk the floors and view the final resting place of
our ancestors. I have a booklet on the chur ch with it's history will
be glad to share it with you scottdawsey00@msn.com
I come off the William Gilliam Tyus family brother of Lewis Tyus of
atauaga co. alabama
Invisited this small yet fascinating church yesterday whilst on a walk organised by 'Meet Up'. One thing in particular intrigues me, why is it 'Lead' ? Is that 'Lead' as in heavy base metal ? or 'lead as in to direct or a leash ?
Visited this delightful little church today with my grandson (5) having heard about it when we visited Towton the last time I was on leave.
Even he sat with me for a moment, in silence, as we absorbed the atomosphere together.
Now I know my New year's resolution to join the CCT and help keep this little church alive for others to enjoy.
Peter Baby (27 Jan 2013)
I had driven past this isolated Church many times and admired it's size and location.
Today I decided to pull into the lay-by and walk to it. Cock Beck was overflowing into the field after the melting snow and it was a wet and soggy walk but the effort was worth it.
I didn't expect the Church to be open, on opening the door I was shocked to find the furniture and wall plaques in tact and the altar decorated with winter greenery and 2 vases of flowers. Obviously people look after the place and all credit to them.
The feeling of history was immense and overwhelming and sad that people no longer meet and worship together here.
A wonderfully atmospheric little church, beautifully restored and very well looked after. I was there many years ago, but the place has stayed in my memory ever since. A very special place, and the connection with King Richard III brought it back to mind with the recent discovery of his remains.