St Wilfrid's Church, Hickleton

St Wilfrid's Church, Hickleton, is a parish church of the Church of England in Hickleton, near Doncaster in South Yorkshire.

St Wilfrid's Church, Hickleton
53.5422°N 1.2726°W / 53.5422; -1.2726
DenominationChurch of England
ChurchmanshipAnglo-Catholic
Websitewww.parishofgoldthorpeandhickleton.co.uk
History
DedicationSt. Wilfrid
Architecture
Architect(s)G F Bodley
Administration
ParishGoldthorpe with Hickleton
DioceseSheffield
ProvinceYork
Clergy
Priest(s)Fr Carl Schaefer

Location and history

The existing church of St Wilfrid lies to the south of the A635 Doncaster–Barnsley road as you enter the village of Hickleton from the east. Archaeological excavations date the existing building back to c. 1150[1] but there is the suggestion of a church on this location in Saxon times.[2] The building is Grade I listed.[3]

The chancel arch is a fine example of Norman construction,[4] indicating that the church originally consisted of simply a small nave and chancel, whilst the western end of the nave and the porch date back to about 1300.

The tower is perpendicular in style, being built of typical South Yorkshire Magnesian limestone and sandstone, which was possibly added when the church and its lands were gifted to the Priory of Monk Bretton by the Archbishop Neville of York in 1386 following the destruction of the priory by fire.[5]

Restorations

The first major restoration took place between 1876–1888 and was supervised by G F Bodley. During this period a new north aisle and sacristry were added, the roof was raised and renewed, the sanctuary was paved with marble and new screens were added to enclose the altar.[6]

The second set of extensive work took place in the 1940s, when the building was seriously affected by a geological fault which caused it to list dangerously. A concrete base was installed under the foundations which allows for the structure to be corrected using hydraulic jacks should there be any further movement.[7]

Lychgate and skulls

The lychgate to the north-west of the church has three human skulls set behind a grille above which are the words (in Latin and English) "Today for me, Tomorrow for thee". A local legend has arisen which suggests they are the skulls of three sheep rustlers, hanged at nearby High Melton, but it is more likely that they were obtained by Lord Halifax to serve as a memento mori.[8] The two outer ones are genuine, both having had the crowns removed surgically and replaced using some form of adhesive, and the centre one is a stone – possibly marble – replica.

References
  1. Dabell, J.A. (1999). The Building and Development of Hickleton Parish Church. The Hickleton Heritage Trust.
  2. Ryder, P.F. (1982). County Archaeology Monograph No 2: Saxon Churches in South Yorkshire. South Yorkshire County Council.
  3. Historic England. "Church of St Wilfrid  (Grade I) (1314784)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
  4. Armitage, E.S. (1897). A Key to English Antiquities: with special reference to the Sheffield and Rotherham District. W Townsend.
  5. Graham, R.; Gilyard-Beer, R. (1966). Monk Bretton Priory. Department of the Environment.
  6. Whiting, Rev. Prof. C. E. (1940). "The Heraldry of Hickleton Church". Transactions of the Archeological Society. Hunter.
  7. "Support for St Wilfrid's, Hickleton". Concrete Journal: 7–10. October 1985.
  8. Lockhart, J. G. (1936). Viscount Halifax 1885–1934. II.
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