St Mary's Church

Absolutely stunning Gothic Church dating from the 1400's. The Vicar and staff were beyond helpful and informative. Well worth a visit if you love Gothic Architecture and Stained Glass. Also check out the original front door and key, and the gargoyles.

St Mary's Church, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. St. Mary's Church, is a fine example of late medieval Perpendicular Gothic architecture, primarily built between the 1430s and 1480s. Key features include a three-story west tower, a crypt beneath the chancel, C15 sedilia and doors, a finely carved font cover, and 19th-century restoration work by G.E. Street. Known as the "Cathedral of the North Riding," it is considered one of Yorkshire's finest churches. Best known as the renowned author James Herriot, "Alf" Wight married Joan Anderson (who appears as Helen in the Herriot books, movies and TV series) at St Marys on 5 November 1941. It has “weapon house" style grooves in its porch stonework, which are believed to have been made by local men sharpening their weapons, possibly arrowheads, before the English Civil War, though other theories suggest they were for medicinal powder. The church itself is a significant medieval building, primarily dating from the 15th century but with parts of the tower potentially from the 12th century. It is a Grade I listed building.

Lovely little church. Friendly people gave us brochures and information about the history and architecture of the church. Unfortunately the crypt seems to ha e been reworked into a modern meeting room.

Great amount of history and excellent architecture. Staff were brilliant, explaining the baptismal font, and the mouse carvings inside the church.

A beautiful church we really enjoyed meeting the people who shared they knowledge with us