The Parish of Ackworth
About our ParishAckworth is a village 3 miles south of Pontefract in West Yorkshire.
There are two Anglican Churches in the village, St Cuthbert's and All Saints - 'Two Churches, One Vision'.
Ackworth had a church at the time of the Doomsday Book and Ackworth is noted in the porch of a church in Durham as one of the list of places where from AD 875 to AD 882 the body of St Cuthbert was taken by the monks of Lindisfarne on its journey around the country in accordance with Cuthbert's request - he died in AD 688 - that if ever the island were deserted his bones should not be left behind. Tradition states that wherever they rested, a church or chapel was subsequently built and dedicated to St Cuthbert.
An original church would seem to have been built in the 9th century and could well be the church mentioned in the Doomsday extract. A church will perhaps have existed from that time and it was probably replaced in the 14th century with a stone church with a tower. The tower still exists but the church was renovated and restored around 1852 to 1854 where it is thought the roof was lifted and additional windows were added above the existing roof line. All the present stained glass dates from the 1850's.
The tower contains a peal of bells each bearing an inscription and has a height of 68feet.
St Cuthbert's, Ackworth is a Grade 2* listed building and is located in a Conservation Area - the rear of the Rectory Garden is a Site of Scientific Interest (SSI)
The church of All Saints, situated at the other end of the village to St Cuthbert's is a late Victorian building which is a Chapel of Ease, built in 1889 and is very much loved and used by the community.
We have history notes on both churches and if you would like a guided tour, please contact Bill Branston, Church Warden - details below.
Since 1888 Ackworth has been part of the Diocese of Wakefield.
Population: 9000
Ackworth Parish Magazine
32 Station Road, Ackworth
Tel: 01977 612003
Our magazine accepts advertising, contact us for details
For Genealogical Enquiries the local Diocesan Record Office is:
For further information about church visits and opening times etc please contact:
Bill Branston, Church Warden
Tel: 01977 610590
For Parish enquiries please contact:
Rector: Rev. Paul Hartley
The Rectory
Ackworth
West Yorkshire WF7 7EJ
Tel: 01977 602751
Churches in our Parish or Benefice
