With the possibility of an interesting photographic project in the offing, I diverted on my way home from Thirsk (visit to Kwik Fit), to check out a tiny church, St Mary Magdalene, East Moors.
It is certainly off the beaten track but when it was built in 1882 it served a local farming population of around 200. Currently it is only used for special occasions but delightfully was open when I visited yesterday.
Temple Moore (1856–1920) was working as assistant to architect George Gilbert Scott and East Moors was his first major project. Although Scott designed the church, it was Moore who saw the job through and provided the design for the font, the reredos (decoration behind the altar) and the wooden partitioning to the south aisle.
Moore became one of Victorian England’s greatest church architects. He built more than forty churches in a career spanning five decades.
Finding the church was relatively easy even though it was not immediately obvious from the road. I was told to look out for the red telephone box and letter box.
I edited this with the aim of making the phone and letterbox a bit punchy – not sure I’m happy with it, bit obvious. They both look like they have had a lick of paint recently but not much prep done before hand!
I think it’s still a working phone.
The path to the church is just to the right, with a signpost.
It’s rather overgrown with rhodedendrons and brambles but very atmospheric.
Before motorcars were around, clergy would ride there on a Saturday evening and sleep in a hammock in the south aisle to be on time for the Sunday service!
The only other building is this lovely place which I had a quick look at, seems to be empty and for some time. Wonder who owns it?
True to the sign the church was open so here’s a selection of images from the interior:
I loved the ‘painted wagon ceiling’.
I’m a sucker for cobwebs!
The church is one of four in the parish – the others are Helmsley, Sproxton and Rievaulx – more info.