12th century Adel Church has been chosen by Jorvik Viking Centre in York to take part in the Yorkshire Medieval Festival this summer - because it’s ‘brimming with medieval history’.
On Thursday 13 August, a team from Jorvik’s ‘Dig on Tour’ will join the Revd Ian White and the Adel History team for a Medieval afternoon (1-5pm).
Val Crompton from Adel Church says, “The JORVIK team will enable our young visitors to have a go at being archaeologists by digging through a selection of replica pits in search of artefacts. We hope many will come for a dig and also enjoy (along with older visitors) following a history trail around the church and our six-acre churchyard.”
Adel Church, which dates back to 1150, is one of the oldest churches in West Yorkshire still in use as a centre of Christian worship. Of particular historical interest are its 37 chancel arch beakheads, corbels and south doorway.
Iconographer and writer, Rita Wood, says, 'The survival of so authentic a building is remarkable enough, but Adel Church is held to be particularly special because it has so much sculpture.'
A school pupil says, 'Adel is special because I'm standing here on a step where a Norman once stood looking at this stone carving.'
In the Stables (parish hall) there will be refreshments and a display of medieval stonework and manuscripts.
The Jorvik Team will set up and run young Church Explorers activities from a gazebo on the grassy area, at the back of the Stables.
The church will be open from 1-5pm and there will be a history trail to follow round the churchyard. Events in the (cool) church are:
1.30-2pm: Early music and pictures.
2pm: Welcome by Rector Ian White and a short history talk by Val Crompton.
2.30pm: Guided walks, and a history trail inside the church and vestry. A school pupil tries out a Norman stone coffin
More details here.
The Rt Revd Dr John Thomson, Bishop of Selby, said, "I'm delighted that so many churches are taking part in Church Explorers! - it's a great way to encourage people to visit their regions' churches, discover their histories, and experience a Christian welcome. Our churches tell the rich stories of their communities over the generations and are still full of life today."
The Church Explorers! events take place across the region, from St John the Baptist church in Adel, Leeds, to St Nicholas in Hornsea, and from All Saints in Northallerton down to Selby Abbey.
Contact Val Crompton, vjcrompton@ntlworld.com or 0113 225 9142