Early lifeSaint Hilda of Whitby, also known as Hild (meaning ‘battle’), was born in 614 into a noble Northumbrian family. She was the grandniece of King Edwin of Northumbria, and both she and King Edwin were baptised by Saint Paulinus in York around 627, when Hilda was thirteen. She lived a noblewoman’s life until her early thirties when she felt a calling to religious life. Initially, she planned to join her sister, Saint Hereswitha, at a monastery in Chelles, France. However, in 649, Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne invited her to return to Northumbria to become abbess of the monastery at Hartlepool, where she led a double monastery—a religious community housing both men and women in separate quarters.Life in WhitbyLater, Hilda became abbess of the renowned double monastery at Whitby, where she served for the rest of her life. Whitby Abbey flourished under her guidance, becoming a centre of learning, spirituality, and religious influence. Among her monks were significant figures such as Saint John of Beverly, Bishop Wilfrid of York, and Caedmon, considered the first known English Christian poet.Saint Hilda is especially remembered for her wisdom, charity, and commitment to unity in the Church. In 664, she played a critical role in the Synod of Whitby, convened at her abbey to settle whether the English Church should follow Roman or Celtic practices. While she initially supported Celtic traditions, Hilda ultimately accepted the decision to adopt Roman customs, promoting unity across England and strengthening the Church’s cohesion.Death and SainthoodHilda died on 17 November 680 after a prolonged illness. In her final moments, she gathered her community and encouraged them to uphold peace in Christ. Widely beloved for her compassion and spiritual insight, she was affectionately called “Mother” by many.Though she was not canonised in the formal sense (canonisation processes were not established in her time), Hilda was venerated as a saint soon after her death. Her legacy continues in the English Church to this day. Her abbey at Whitby set standards for education, religious unity, and inclusivity, and her role in the Synod of Whitby remains a landmark event in English Christian history. In art, she is often depicted holding Whitby Abbey or performing miracles associated with her, such as turning snakes to stone—linked to the fossil ammonites found in Whitby.Her legacyAt St Hilda’s Church, we can draw profound inspiration from Saint Hilda’s legacy. Her commitment to unity, inclusivity, and spiritual learning encourages us to build a community that values each member’s contributions and seeks to bridge divisions. Her role as a trusted adviser and compassionate leader reminds us to serve others with humility, wisdom, and kindness. Just as she fostered a spirit of peace and charity within her monastery, we are called to extend Christ’s peace to our own community and beyond. By following her example of dedication to faith, education, and unity, we at St Hilda’s can continue to be a place of welcome, growth, and shared purpose, honouring her life and enduring legacy in today’s world.A prayer for St HildaO God of peace, by whose grace the abbess Hilda was endowed with Gifts of justice, prudence, and strength to rule as a wise mother over the nuns and monks of her household, and to become a trusted and reconciling friend to leaders of the Church: Give us the grace to respect and love our fellow Christians with whom we disagree, that our common life may be enriched and your gracious will be done, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Concert showcases local talent and raises funds for church heating.On the evening of Saturday, 2 November, St Hilda’s Church came alive with music as local musicians took to the stage for a concert filled with talent and variety, each bringing their own unique sounds across a mix of genres and instruments, providing an entertaining and uplifting evening for the 40+ guests that attended.The concert was free to attend and was organised to raise funds for St Hilda’s newly installed eco heating system. This upgrade allows the church to host concerts, services, and other gatherings in comfort through the colder months. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, donations from the concert raised around £350 toward the heating fund. A huge thank you to everyone involved—the talented performers, organisers, and the supportive audience members who made the night a success.For those who missed the event or would like to contribute further, donations to the heating fund can still be made [here] and if you follow us on Facebook and Instagram, you can view more photos from the concert.Read more about our new heating here.
Green your home. Combat climate change and reduce heating costs by identifying and sealing draughts around your home. Find the gaps that let the cold air in and warm air out (think keyholes, letterboxes, cracks around the edges or bottoms of windows and doors, loft hatches, floorboards, etc.) and fix these gaps using the correct materials and online tutorials. Additionally, place foil or radiator panels to reflect heat into your room. Pray for those who might be experiencing the cold this winter.Explore practical ways to enjoy, nurture and defend God’s creation with Wild Christian. Sign up for the Wild Christian newsletter for regular updates, support, advice and ideas.
The grounds of St Hilda's Church now boast a new bug hotel and two bee hotels, generously donated by Paul and Elaine Carrington. These additions were unveiled as part of an initiative to enhance the church’s support for native wildlife, providing crucial shelter and breeding spaces for solitary bees and other beneficial insects.Following the recent Harvest Festival service, children from the Brownies and Rainbows, along with other young congregation members, took part in an activity to cover the top of the main bug hotel with soil and scatter wildflower seeds. This effort aims to foster a rich habitat for pollinators and other insects in need of safe shelter. View photos from the service.The new bug and bee hotels are located at the bottom right of the field. Alongside existing bird boxes, these additions reflect St Hilda's commitment to encouraging biodiversity on its land, with a focus on providing a sanctuary for native species.Further enhancing this effort, bat boxes are also set to be installed in the coming weeks, again thanks to the support of Paul Carrington.The church encourages all visitors to report any sightings of the invasive Asian hornet, which threatens local ecosystems. Reports can be made via the Asian Hornet Watch App, available on both Android and iPhone, through an online notification form, or by emailing alertonnative@ceh.ac.uk. Please include a photo and the sighting location when reporting.St Hilda’s continues its dedication to fostering a biodiverse and environmentally friendly space, inviting the community to witness the growth of these new wildlife habitats.
