CHURCH HISTORY

Easter Monday - 10:00 a.m.
St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) - 10:00 a.m.

The old church of the Holy Cross in Whorlton is in fact a partial ruin, listed grade 1. It contains an effigy of a knight, which commemorates the second Lord of Whorlton Castle, Sir Nicholas de Maynell (Meinell) who died in 1322. The church is surrounded by the burial ground (churchyard) containing many ancient graves and monuments.

Although the religious life of the Parish of Whorlton moved in the 19th century to the nearby village of Swainby and its new church built in 1877, the old church of the Holy Cross in Whorlton is still a centre of our spiritual heritage. It is located on an elevated picturesque site with beautiful views of the Cleveland Hills. The church contains a newly renovated medieval tower from 14th from which you can enjoy the beautiful view of the Whorlton valley.

There are regular religious services in all the churches of the Parish of Whorlton, but there are two services per year in the old church in Whorlton, which are especially popular in the area: Holy Communion on 26th December (St Stephen's Day) and the Holy Communion on Easter Monday. Both services are at 10:00 a.m. Everybody is welcome to worship together at these two services, and we strongly advise those who plan to join us to dress warmly and to use walking boots.