About Us

Welcome to Holy Trinity, also known as Stonegrave Minster. We hope you can find the information you need and please do get in touch if you have any questions. Stonegrave is a beautiful and very historic church - you can sense its long history and spirituality when you enter. Many people make a special trip to visit Stonegrave. Due to heating problems in the winter months, with the exception of a Christmas Carol Service, we only have regular Sunday services from April to the end of October. We also have a monthly choral evensong at Stonegrave during these months with the Helmsley Chamber Choir.   Stonegrave Minster is part of a family of four churches (benefice), each around two miles apart.  Worship at Stonegrave is largely Book of Common Prayer. We meet for Morning Prayer (Mattins) every Friday morning at 9 am.

History

Between secular Castle Howard and sacred Rievaulx Abbey lies the tiny hamlet of Stonegrave. Tucked into the hillside below the B1257 is Holy Trinity Church, also described as Stonegrave Minster. First reference made to Stonegrave occurs in a letter of 757. The Saxon church was entirely rebuilt in the Norman period and the tower built in the Norman period and the tower built in three stages. A drastic restoration took place in 1862-3. The oak chancel screen is dated 1637 and the pulpit and screen between the chancel and north aisle are of a similar period. The splendid Saxon cross with a damaged wheel-head stands on a coffin lid of a similar period. 

There is a great deal more to be said on Stonegrave. You can find Guidebooks on its history when you visit the church.