Opening
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Getting here
About our Church:
Please also see our other website... wwwfishlakestcuthbert.org.uk
Fishlake St Cuthbert is a beautiful 12th century Grade 1 Listed Norman Church located in a quiet corner of this unspoilt peaceful South Yorkshire village. The Church was completed around 1170 and has been in constant use ever since. Do come and see our Church, it is well worth a visit and, when you come we hope these notes will prove useful. In normal times the Church is open every day of the year from approximately 09:30 to 5:00pm - please check at our main website, see www.fishlakestcuthbert.org.uk As from September 2017 Fishlake St Cuthbert has acquired Major Parish Church Status in recognition of its national and local importance.
As you arrive and before you enter the Church, if you look up at the west facing wall of the tower, high up above the large west window and still exactly as it was when it was lifted into place in the middle of the 12th century, is a statue of St Cuthbert portrayed gently cradling the head of King Oswald. (For more information please follow this link, see.. http://www.fishlakestcuthbert.org.uk. and also http://www.benefice-of-fishlake-sykehouse-kirkbramwith-fenwick-moss.co.uk/fishlake-church-history.php )
As you move around towards the south doorway, if you look up at the south facing wall of the tower you will see the remains of the badges of King Edward IV, a falcon and a fetterlock. Also a little higher up is a rose surrounded by a royal crown, on which is carved a lion sejante.
Moving round to the justly famous south doorway, you will come face-to-face with the magnificent carved architecture probably created by monks from Cluny in France in the middle of the 12th century. It is worth taking time to look closely at the extraordinary wealth of carving which, despite being weathered, still remains one the finest two examples of Romanesque carving in the UK, the other being at Malmesbury Abbey in Wiltshire. (For more information please contact the Churchwardens - details below) If you want to take a good photograph of the south doorway it is worth waiting until around noon when, if there is sunshine, the whole doorway comes to life in all its original splendour.
On entering the Church and proceeding into the nave, the immediate impression is of light and airiness, a key feature of this lovely old Church. If you have chosen a sunny day, the sunlight coming through the large and beautifully proportioned clerestory windows will pervade the whole nave and it can be an uplifting sight. At the west end of the nave and in front of the tower arch is the 14th century font, which contains some interesting statues, and the one facing the altar is said to represent Pope Gregory, an unusual find in an Anglican Church, and a statue that somehow survived the upheavals through the centuries. On Pope Gregory's right is a statue representing St Nicholas of Myra, and on the left is a statue representing St Cuthbert and, if you look carefully, you can see it mirrors the style of the large statue on the west tower wall as he is portrayed holding the head of King Oswald. (For more information please follow this link, see... http://www.fishlakestcuthbert.org.uk. and. http://www.benefice-of-fishlake-sykehouse-kirkbramwith-fenwick-moss.co.uk/fishlake-church-history.php
Moving on into the chancel, the very lovely east window was designed to fit in and meld with the movements of the leaves in the trees outside; and in an evening when the light from the setting sun shines right through the Church, the overall effect is stunningly beautiful. The planning process for the restoration for the chancel is now under way and the end result will be an even more attractive place of Worship. In passing, the Marshall tomb in the chancel has some rare inscriptions and the south chantry chapel has more early tombs located in the chapel floor.
There are said to be at least two former altar stones set in the floor and recent research suggests that at one time the Church may have three or more altars in regular use. Locating their former positions is quite an interesting challenge but those looking with some architectural knowledge may spot the clues - they are there to be found.
The tower contains a fine turret clock designed by Lord Grimthorpe which was installed in 1901, the chimes being fitted a little later. Above the clock chamber is the bell chamber which contains a ring of 6 bells, the earliest dating from perhaps the 14th or 15th centuries. Plans are in hand to restore the bells to light duty working so that they can rung for special ocasions.
Please feel free to rest a while in this peaceful holy place, you may well find others sitting quietly seeking time to contemplate. Do feel free to add a prayer request to the prayer book on the chantry chapel altar.
Now - having come this far - please join with us for a Sunday service, in normal times a coffee morning or one of our events and you will be most welcome.
Normal services at Fishlake St Cuthbert:
1st Sunday 09:30 Family Service - bring the children - all ages welcome!
2nd Sunday 09:30 Holy Communion
3rd Sunday 09:30 Morning Prayer
4th Sunday 09:30 Holy Communion
Where there is a fifth Sunday in the month, a Southern Mission Partnership Service is held at one of the Deanery Churches, please contact the Churchwardens for details. Everyone is welcome do come and join us.
Baptisms:
There is plenty of room for Baptisms (second Sunday) and room for children to run around after the service, there are seats for approximately 200 persons. Please contact the Area Dean and/or the Churchwardens to make your booking, contact details below
Weddings:
The Church is a lovely place to get married and you will always get a warm welcome from us here. Please contact the Area Dean and/or the Churchwardens to make your booking, contact details below.
Funerals:
The Church is used for funerals and the churchyard remains open for both internments and cremated remains. While the Church can seat approximately 200 persons, there is also considerable standing room for a futher 200 which enables the larger event to be catered for acceptably. Please contact the Area Dean and/or the Churchwardens to make your booking, contact details below.
Refreshments nearby:
There are two excellent cafés in the village, both very close to the Church, Cafe Bleu, open Wednesday to Saturday (Phone 07702190332) drop in for coffee and cake + first class panninis and lots more! See... https://www.facebook.com/pg/Cafe-Bleu-at-The-Hare-Hounds-209766252798964/about/
We also now have the newly opened The Old Butchers offering a wide range of food - cafe shop/cafeteria/restaurant open Tuesday to Sunday from 07:30AM to 6:00PM (Phone 01302 842111); well worth a visit; See...https://www.facebook.com/theoldbutchersfishlake/
There is a good pub in the village:
The Hare and Hounds, see... https://www.facebook.com/Hare-And-Hounds-656973607674709/info/
Accommodation in Fishlake:
There are two excellent B&Bs in the village and one larger establishment that offers self-catering facilities and hosts a range of events:
River Lane B&B, see... http://river-lane.co.uk/ - a premier B&B
Truffle Lodge B&B, see... http://trufflelodge.co.uk/about-us/ - a luxurious experience
Fishlake Mill, see... http://www.fishlakemill.co.uk/ - self-catering units plus a well-known events capability, which means that you could get married in the Church and host your reception nearby at the Fishlake Mill
Events: - in normal times...please check at our main website see... www.fishlakestcuthbert.org.uk
The Church hosts a coffee morning every Saturday at 10:00am - unless there is another event taking place nearby. This event is a simple but pleasant way to meet friends, make contacts, buy some locally made jams and catch up on the local news. Takings are used to support the maintenance of the Church and contribute towards further restoration.
The PCC also hosts an occasional 'bacon butty' event to raise funds, a Christmas Fayre, an Easter event and a summer garden party. Messy Church is held at half-term once or twice each year
The Fishlake Village Choir practices in the Church and holds concerts two or three times each year
Contacts:
For Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals please contact the Area Dean and one of the Churchwardens:
Area Dean Revd Justine Smith on 01405 704626, 07305 224415 or e-mail: justinesmith0516@@gmail.com
Churchwarden: Mrs Wendy Brownbridge; e-mail: [email protected] tel: 01302 842 450
Churchwarden: Mr Peter Pridham; e-mail: [email protected] tel: 01302 845215 07785 272 927
Church Lane
Fishlake
Doncaster
DN7 5JP
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