Laithkirk Church

LUNEDALE B6276, Laithkirk NY 92 SE (South side)

Laithkirk Church 10/117 II GV Parish church. Said to have been a C15 tithe barn of Lord Fitzhugh; converted repaired and re-roofed in 1826; further restorations c.1900. Rubble with sandstone dressings. Graduated slate roof. Continuous nave and chancel; south porch and south vestry.

Nave and chancel, of 6 internal bays, with rough stone plinth and flush quoins. Blank gabled west end with flat-topped bellcote at apex. North side 4 wide lancets in projecting tooled surrounds. East end round-arched window with rough flush voussoirs. South side 3 similar lancets and a round-headed sundial to east inscribed: WATCH AND PRAY 1865. Roof with coped gables; 3 small triangular roof lights to north pitch.

Gabled porch, to west, has pointed chamfered arch with projecting impost blocks. Rebuilt stone benches within porch. Small pointed stoup on inner east wall, near square-headed nave doorway.

Gabled vestry, to east, with pointed arch under hoodmould. East return: flight of steps down to basement door under pointed arch; small C19 lancet above in moulded surround with flanking engaged colonnettes. Steeply-pitched roof. Plain and plastered interior. Octagonal C19 stone font, with engaged marble colonnettes, at south-west end of nave: Oversized and off-centre C20 chancel screen, brought from elsewhere; similar sanctuary panelling. 5 King-post trusses.

(The Victoria History of the Counties of England, ed. William Page, F.S.A. , A History of the County of York North Riding, 1925).

Listing NGR: NY9548324047