Church of St Mary, Main Street, Scawton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 2HG
The church was built in 1146 by the cistercian monks who later built Byland Abbey, and is structurally unchanged. It lies in the attractive hamlet of Scawton in idyllic Upper Ryedale. St Mary's is a Grade 1 listed, and has many historical features.
St Mary's church sits in the centre of Scawton (meaning "farm in the hollow"), east of Sutton Bank, in a scenic rural setting. It was built for Hugh de Malebisse, steward for the famous De Mowbray family of Thirsk and his retainers. Its font came from Old Byland in 1146 and has been used for baptisms by 31 generations of villagers. Behind the 16th altar is the stone original - a great rarity, since these were banned in the Reformation. The piscina is of early 13th century workmanship. Below the 12th century north pair of windows is a curious recess within which is a long stone basin/sink with an outlet at the back - a lavatorium! - brought from Byland or Rievaulx. St Aelred of Rievaulx became Abbot at Rievaulx the year after the church was built, and a plaque in the church proclaims "God is Friendship", which first appears in the treatise "Spiritual Friendship" by the great St Aelred, Abbot of Rievaulx, friend of Roger, the abbot of the Byland community when they were building the Church of St Mary.
"Our parish of Upper Ryedale is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults from harm. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer (PSO). Our Diocese of York’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor who advises our PSO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the PSO George Gyte email: [email protected]; M:07900 896739 or the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor Rob Marshall email: [email protected]; T: 01904 699509/ 07914 668907. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority’s children or adult social care services."