Church Of St Mary And St Germain (Selby Abbey)

Church of St Mary and St Germain (Selby Abbey)

Parish church, formerly the church of Selby Abbey, a mitred abbey and one of the three most important Benedictine houses in the north, traditionally the earliest. Founded in 1069 according to tradition and dissolved in 1536.

The church was begun by Abbot Hugh de Lacy (1097-1123), with the earlier part of the nave and transepts dating from his campaign. The west part of the nave and lower part of the west front appear to date from the late 12th century. The north nave gallery and upper parts of the west front are mid-13th century. The chancel and some of the tracery elsewhere are of later 14th-century date. The tower collapsed in 1690 and was repaired around 1701-2, probably by "Mr Hall, a local builder of some note". The church underwent restoration in 1871-3 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and again in 1889-90 by J Oldrid Scott. In 1906 a serious fire prompted the most drastic restoration by J Oldrid Scott, which included a new crossing tower (1908), south transept (circa 1912), and west towers (1935).

Outstanding monuments include three mediaeval sarcophagi: the D'Arcy Tomb in the south aisle (15th century) with badly eroded torso on a panelled tomb chest with angels holding shields; a crusader figure in the north nave arcade (late 12th or early 13th century); and a lady under the south nave arcade (14th century) at less than life size with crocketed canopy and four shields.

Tomb slabs in the south-east corner commemorate Abbot John Shireburn (1368-1407) in alabaster, Abbot Lawrence Selby (1486-1504) now eroded, and Abbot Barwic (1522-6). Various other tomb slabs are scattered throughout, notably four dated 1604, 1613 (both in the south aisle), 1614 (on the north transept west wall), and 1630 (on the north aisle wall) which still use black letter inscriptions at this late date. Another commemorates Frank Raw (buried 31 March 1706), a gravestone cutter, in the south aisle.

Three distinguished 17th or early 18th-century tablets include one to Richard Spencer of Leeds (1662-1690) in the north aisle with skull and crossbones above, a swagger cartouche with a skull also in the north aisle carved in soft limestone with obliterated inscription, and two conjoined oral laurel wreaths framing tablets to Robert Morrit, merchant (died 22 November 1705), and his 12-year-old son (died 1 May 1704).

Signed neo-classical memorial slabs commemorate: John Dobson (died 6 March 1837) and Mary Dobson (died 18 December 1847) in the south aisle, signed by W Bradley, Selby; Ann Elizabeth Morrit of Cawood (died 1 December 1795) in the north aisle, a very finely carved sarcophagus on black ground signed by W Mason; Samuel Staniland (died 28 June 1852) and Betsey Staniland (died 17 July 1852) in the north aisle, signed by Waudby, York; Samuel Staniland, mariner (died 21 April 1800), his wife Dinah (died 27 April 1809), and their sons Thomas Staniland, ship owner (died 6 January 1799), Jonathan Staniland, ship owner (died 24 September 1802), and Stephen Staniland, gentleman (died 9 November 1834) in the north aisle, signed by W Plows, York; Thomas Eadon (died 18 June 1835) in the north aisle, signed by M Taylor, York; John Audus (died 29 January 1809) and Jane Audus (died 23 December 1830) in the north aisle, a large and fine quality work with carving suggesting a later date but design suggesting an earlier date, signed by W Plows, York; Nicholas Smith (died 19 January 1787) and Eleanor Smith (died 6 September 1816) and other family members (undated) in the north aisle, signed by Y Plows, York; Morley Wharrey (died 4 September 1797), his wife Elizabeth (died 31 December 1842), and their daughter Sophia Theresa Buchanan (died 1 August 1877) in the north aisle, signed by W Plows, York; and the Hawdon siblings William (died 14 December 1835), Ann (died 9 February 1855), Elizabeth (died 22 August 1825), Sarah (died 19 February 1806), and Richard (died 25 October 1852) in the north aisle, signed by G Bailey, Hull.

A grave-digger's slab in the south aisle commemorates John Archer (died 15 September 1768) with a charming doggerel inscription. Various other neo-classical and Gothic slabs are also present.

The principal furnishings include a font apparently of the 12th century, plain and circular with a moulded base. The font cover is 15th-century wooden work, very tall and elaborate with three storeys, traceried openings, crocketed gablets, pinnacles and crocketed spire. An oak chair of "Yorkshire" type is inscribed "PO 1693 MO" with a scene on the back that appears to combine the Ascension and the Resurrection. The lectern dates from the mid-19th century and is of brass. Screens, stalls, organ and pulpit are elaborate but conventional Gothic work of 1906-9 by J Oldrid Scott. A hatchment is displayed in the south aisle. A mediaeval chest of a single piece of oak is also present.