East Witton Parish »
The Church of St John the Evangelist, East Witton
The church was built between 1809 and 1813 at the instigation and expense of the Earl of Aylesbury, squire of Jervaulx. The interior was remodelled in 1870s during the Victorian era. At one time there was a double decker pulpit and box pews. It is thought the Victorian alterations included changes to the internal walls around the chancel. the tiles and organ are Victorian.
The Earl of Aylesbury’s family name was Brudnel Bruce. They owned Jervaulx Estate and one called Savanacks in Wiltshire. The Jervaulx Estate had to be sold because of death duties in the late 19th Century. It was bought by Samuel Cunliffe-Lister who also owned Swinton Estate. Some buildings in the village have the initials S C L carved on them. He let Jervaulx Hall to Hector Christie, who used it as a shooting box.
When the estate had to be sold again because of death duties it was bought by Hector Christie.
The Bruce family coat of arms is depicted on the hatchment. Part of this coat of arms is a blue lion. When the pub in the village was refurbished late 18th early 19th century it was renamed The Blue Lion. A hatchment was put on the gates of the hall to indicate that the owner had died. It was then brought into the church. This one was not brought into church until some time after the death.
The church in Lowthorpe was thought to be dedicated to St. Martin as East Witton Fair (sale of cattle etc) was held around Martinmas (November).
The very old chalice is probably from the old church. A previous vicar thought it may have been pre-reformation as it had been added to. A silver expert who saw it did not think so. The ewer and two plates were from the Earl of Aylesbury.
As the abbot of Jervaulx was the Rector of the village, East Witton had a vicar. The owner of the Abbey is the Lay Rector
The original pulpit was pine and was taken to Horsehouse Church but has since been removed from there.
Originally the parish was in the Diocese of Chester.
Colsterdale was part of the parish and coffins were carried across the moor via Sowden Beck and down Fell Lane.
There used to be a gallery over the back west door. the belfry stairs led to the gallery entrance.
The pulpit (top) dates from 1947 and is from the Mouseman of Thirsk.