OUR HISTORY | ST ANDREW’S CHURCH Kirk Ella
Our history of our Parish dates back to the Domesday Book and thrives today
The story of St Andrew’s is woven into the story of Kirk Ella itself. Our parish is recorded as far back as the Domesday Book, and for centuries this church has stood at the heart of village life, marking moments of worship, celebration, and remembrance for countless generations. Through times of growth and change, St Andrew’s has remained a place where faith is lived, friendships are formed, and the community is strengthened. Today, we continue to build on that rich heritage as we look to the future with hope.
TAKE A TRIP THROUGH OUR HISTORY
First Church on the site
The first Church on the site was provided before 1066 by Alwyn, a King’s Thegn, the Parish being called at that time Aelfsleah or Elverley.
The Domesday Book entry for Kirk Ella mentions a church and priest in the time of Gislebert Tison. The advowson of Kirk Ella had originally been given by Gilbert Tison to Selby Abbey, and was confirmed to that house by Richard I.
Change Of Advowson
In 1325-6 the advowson was given by Thomas Wake to his foundation of Haltemprice priory. In 1328 the church was appropriated to the priory. Things were not settled till 1352
Contruction Of The West Tower
First 3 Bells Hung
Richard Anlaby, the Lord of the Manor, and other Freemen gave three bells to be hung in the new tower in 1454.
Major Alterations
Major alterations carried out in 1859/1860 included enlargement of the Sykes Chapel and a new Choir Vestry.
Bell Repairs
On the death of Major Richard Sykes in 1870 the bell was sent to Messrs Mears and Stainbank in London who replaced it with two bells.
Bells Replaced
When the tower was restored and strengthened in 1882 Taylors of Loughborough took down the four bells and recast them into a peal of six at the expense of Arthur Eggington of South Ella, in memory of his mother Frances. A new wooden frame was paid for by the parishioners.
Pinnacles Added To The Tower & Society Of Bell-Ringers Formed
Pinnacles were added to the tower in 1883 to give the impression of greater height.
There is written evidence that the St. Andrews’ Society of Bell-ringers was formed early in 1883 following the installation of the peal of six bells.
The first annual meeting was held on 31st December 1883 with the Revd. James Foord as President and Chairman. On Saturday 30′" July 1983 a Centenary Dinner was arranged to commemorate the hanging of the peal of six bells in 1883.
Bells Rehung
In 1928 the bells were rehung on ball bearings.
Choir Vestry Added
Bells Added To & Rehallowed
the peal was further augmented by the addition of two lighter bells in 1976/1977. The full peal of eight bells was rehung in a steel frame by Taylors of Loughborough, the two new bells being dedicated and the other six bells rehallowed by the Archbishop of York on 7th September 1977.
Incumbents
For a period of very many years the living of the Parish of Kirk Ella was in the gift of the Foord family and it is most significant that the Revd. James Foord was Vicar for 53 years until he died in 1932. There is a memorial plaque in the tower recording a peal rung in his memory.
He was followed for 29 years by the Revd. Richard Foord, the last member of the Foord family to hold the living.
Canon John Wilson was also Vicar for 29 years and it is remarkable for any Parish to have only three incumbents over a period of more than 100 years.
