Church of St Mary and St Alkelda, Middleham

The Church of St Mary and St Alkelda is a Church of England parish church in Middleham, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire. The church is a grade I listed building,[1] and it dates from the 13th century.[2]

Church of St Mary and St Alkelda, Middleham
LocationChurch Street, Middleham, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 4PQ
CountryEngland
DenominationChurch of England
Previous denominationRoman Catholic Church
History
StatusActive
Architecture
Functional statusParish church
Years built13th century
Specifications
Capacity200
Administration
ParishMiddleham with Coverdale and East Witton and Thornton Steward
ArchdeaconryArchdeaconry of Richmond and Craven
DioceseDiocese of Leeds
Clergy
RectorThe Revd Jeffery Payne
Assistant priest(s)The Revd Elizabeth Moody

History

The church was made a collegiate church in 1477 by Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III). Richard III's young son and heir, Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales, may possibly have been buried in the church after his death nearby in Middleham Castle in 1484. The collegiate body of the church consisted of a dean, six chaplains, four clerks and six choristers.[1] The post of dean was replaced by rector in 1840.[1] The church was a Royal Peculiar until 1845.[3]

On 15 February 1967, the church was designated a Grade I listed building.[1]

Present day

Today, the church is part of the benefice of "Middleham w Coverdale and E Witton and Thornton St" in the Archdeaconry of Richmond and Craven of the Diocese of Leeds.[4]

The parish stands in the Conservative Evangelical tradition of the Church of England.[4] The benefice has not passed resolutions rejecting the ordination of women.[5]

Notable clergy
  • Harry Topham, clergyman and cricketer, served as rector from 1903 to 1925

References
  1. Historic England. "Church of St Mary and St Alkelda (1318544)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  2. "The Church of St. Mary and St. Alkelda". Jervaulx Churches. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  3. Atthill. Foundation and Antiquities of the Collegiate Church of Middleham p. 28. Retrieved 15 April 2014
  4. "Middleham: St Mary & St Alkelda, Middleham, Leyburn". A Church Near You. Archbishops' Council. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  5. "Middleham with Coverdale, East Witton and Thornton Steward: PARISH PROFILE" (pdf). Jervaulx Churches. p. 33. Retrieved 4 April 2017.

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