How old is the church?
The hog-back tombstone in the porch signals that Christian worship went on here before the Norman Conquest. Round semi-circle arches over the porch and chancel are early Norman - 12th century. Later the Normans developed the pointed arch which could bear more weight.

What alterations have been made to the church?
A big restoration in 1866-1869 re-ordered the interior, added transepts and elaborated the tower. There is a picture near the font showing what the church was like pre-restoration. Vicar Gray (1870-1913) gave the place its high church feel, and introduced the wall-paintings, altars and their surrounds in St Columba's and St Aelred's chapels.

Why the wall-paintings?
Before the Reformation in the 16th Century, most churches would have murals on their interior walls as teaching aids (pre the TV and video age!). Vicar Gray wished to recover this rich and colourful catholic past.

What are the wall-paintings about?
In the north aisle they are time-lines imagined as oak and vine trees, showing the growth of monasticism and Christianity and the local secular powers. Like any family tree, often imagination supersedes historical accuracy - Aidan was never archbishop of York, for instance. The paintings compliment the stained-glass in the north aisle, which tells the story of the founding of Rievaulx up to its famous third abbot, Aelred.

In St Columba's chapel the wall-paintings depict the coming of Christianity to the North, battles of good against evil, with a white knight piercing a fierce dragon who has the Viking and Saxon pagan gods pinned to his scales to make it quite clear whose side the true God was on.

Why are the chapels named after Aelred and Columba?
Aelred was the famous third abbot of Rievaulx, who enabled the Cistercian movement to take off in England in the 13th Century. Misericords (Latin for mercy) are found on the west wall. Misericords are seats which include a lip which the monk could rest on whilst still appearing to stand up during lengthy services.

Columba was an Irish missionary in the sixth and seventh century who used Iona and Holy Island as launch pads to bring Christianity to the North. Again the stained glass, which tells Columba's story, compliments the wall-paintings.

What does the East Window show?
Its centre is the ascended Christ in glory, enthroned as king, surrounded by various groups of followers who are named in the Te Deum, a canticle sung at Morning Prayer.

How many people come to church these days?
The 8 am Prayer Book Communion has a regular congregation between 10 and 25.
The 9.30 am Sung Eucharist has a regular congregation between 50 and 70.
The 6.30 pm Evensong has a regular congregation between 10 and 25.

Not bad for a population of about 1700, with active Methodist and RC churches in competition!

I thought this was a Roman Catholic Church with all its statues and altars!
Until the Reformation in the 16th Century, this church was part of Christendom which covered all western Europe, and its architecture obviously reflects that past. After Henry VIII declared his Act of Supremacy, the Church of England has tried to hold together both Catholic and Protestant aspects of Christianity, and developments in the building in Victorian times tried to recover some of its rich, colourful catholic past.

Why is there a statue of Mary in St Aelred's chapel?
Christians honour Mary because she was obedient to God and nurtured the Saviour of the world, and so they believe she has a special place in heaven. Because they know that mothering is a tender business, many believers trust her with their prayers and deep desires because they feel she will be a good advocate before God. In another sense she represents the feminine as being at the heart of God.

Isn't offering votive candles superstitious?
No. Prayer isn't just in the head. Lighting a candle is a way of acting out a prayer that God's light will dawn in the particular darkness we are concerned about.

What is the panelling in the Sanctuary?
During the Second World War a flail-tank regiment called the 22nd Dragoons was stationed in Duncombe Park in Helmsley before action with heavy losses on D-Day. The panelling (by Thompsons of Kilburn) is in their memory.

Famous Vicars?
Richard Conyers in the 18th Century was a convert to Methodism, and preached a Gospel of Salvation by grace, taking his message to numerous out-lying farms, and packing the church with allegedly as many as 3000 communicants. He was one of the founding fathers of Methodism along with John and Charles Wesley.

Charles Gray had a famous father and grandfather, both called Robert, bishops of Cape Town and Bristol respectively. Vicar Gray's father was a fierce defender of orthodoxy, and it was in part his determination which made the Archbishop of Canterbury convene the first Lambeth Conference in 1867 to stamp orthodoxy on the Anglican Communion. Bishop Gray's friend composed the Conference hymn, The Church's One Foundation. Vicar Gray was responsible for building five hamlet chapels as well as re-ordering the church. Both men's portraits hang in the baptistry.

How much does it cost to run this church?
About £70,000 a year, so donations are gratefully received.