Burnsall, St Wilfrid

Treasures from the Parish Chest: exploring North Yorkshire’s church history from archives to architecture

Traditionally founded by St Wilfrid around 700AD, the church holds an important collection of Anglo-Scandinavian sculpture

Standing in beautiful Wharfedale, there is thought to have been a church here for around 1300 years. Traditionally founded by St Wilfrid in c.700AD, the church and surrounding area was important during the pre-Conquest period, evidenced by the wonderful collection of Anglo-Scandinavian sculpture housed in the church. Dating from the 9^th and 10^th centuries, the stones showcase the intermingling of Anglo-Saxon and Norse Viking cultures in Wharfedale at this time. There are good examples of hogback stones here; 9^th-11^th century grave covers styled as ‘houses of the dead’, which were unique to the North of England, Scotland and Ireland.

St Wilfrid’s church is largely 13^th and 15^th century in date, and was restored between 1858-1859 by local architect John Varley of Skipton.

15^th century sculpture of the Adoration of the Magi, discovered beneath the church floor in 1858

A unique notebook gives us a wonderful insight into some of the other treasures held at the church. The Burnsall Manuscript was compiled by Reverend William Bury between c.1839-1875, whilst he was rector of the parish [Z.1570]. It contains beautifully handwritten notes, anecdotes and drawings relating to the history of the townships within his parish, their churches and parishioners.

The manuscript details the discovery of the 15th century alabaster sculpture of the Adoration of the Magi. It was found during restoration beneath the floor of the north-east chantry chapel in 1858. The notebook records that it was chipped by the workman’s pickaxe before being discovered, and that the sculpture was beautifully painted and gilded when found. Sadly, this quickly deteriorated when exposed to the atmosphere. This notebook provides a rich and colourful insight into the life of this parish and church during the 19th century.