About Us
Welcome to All Saints Church - where small is beautiful!
We're a friendly, active rural church serving two villages, farms and hamlets.
See also our website www.allsaintsthirkleby.org.uk
We are committed to Church in Community, exploring ways to share the love of Jesus, from barbecues and barn dances, to flower festivals and concerts.
Church services include monthly Holy Communion (Common Worship) and celebration of major Festivals.
Visitors are always very welcome.
We have a small enthusiastic choir and new members are always welcome.
Are you an Organist? – come and play the restored Denman organ! (please contact us in advance)
Are you a bell ringer - or would you like to learn? We have a ring of 6 bells suitable for Change Ringing. We practice on a Monday evening when anyone is welcome to come along and have a go.
Church events also take place in the Parish Hall (available for hire) at Great Thirkleby, a few hundred yards from church.
The attractive Grade II* church stands in a beautiful tranquil setting within its group of old trees including fine Cedars of Lebanon. There has been a church on the site for at least 900 years.
The present building was commissioned in 1851 by Lady Louisa Frankland-Russell of Thirkleby Park in memory of her late husband, Sir Robert. Designed by the renowned Victorian 'rogue' architect Edward Buckton Lamb it incorporates an octagonal chapel dedicated to the Frankland family beneath which lies the family vault.
The church has impressive high hammer beam roofs and contains interesting memorials, some dating back to 17th century and one 1803 sculpture by John Flaxman. There is some notable stained glass designed and painted by females members of the Frankland family.
A public footpath goes through the churchyard, linking up with scenic walks in the area eg: to Coxwold, Kilburn, the White Horse and beyond.