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All Saints Church, Ryther

History and Architecture

Late Saxon or early Norman, with C13 nave and C14 south aisle and chancel, with restorations and rebuilding of 1773, rebuilding of chancel in 1843 and alterations and rebuilding of 1898 including east window, bell turret and south porch.

 

Magnesium limestone ashlar with plain tile roof. 3-bay nave and south aisle with porch, 2-bay chancel, bell turret to west end. South porch has pointed-arched opening under hood-mould. Within a double chamfered pointed-arched doorway with renewed angle shafts with circular abaci. Y-traceried plank door. Nave, quoins, buttresses with offsets.

Windows

To the south side are two 2-light windows with Y-tracery. West end of aisle has a single ogee light. East end of aisle has a 3-light window with intersecting tracery. North side has pointed arched entrance with chamfered jambs and plank door. Otherwise a 3-light window with reticulated tracery and a lancet window. West end has 2 lancet windows. Chancel: quoins.

 

To south side a round-arched priest's entrance with imposts under hood with plank door. 2-light window with Decorated tracery. To north side a 2-light, straight-headed window. East window has 3 lights and retriculated tracery.

Interior

Nave arcade of double-chamfered arches on octagonal piers. Stoup to right of entrance. Tub font on square base with shaped sides. Late C15 piscina to south aisle. Squint. Round chancel arch with shaped inposts. 5 stone altars bearing symbolised Wounds of Christ (now eroded) of probable C11 origin.

 

Memorials include alter tomb to Sir Robert Ryther d1327 and his wife. Effigy of a lady with horned head dress, holding a heart in her hand. Alabaster alter tomb reputedly to Sir William Ryther d1475 with recumbant effigy with mourners to sides of tomb. C15 alter tomb with black marble top and carved sides. Tomb recess with 4-centred head and crocketed ogee gable with demi-figure of an angel in the spandrel.

 

Set in aisle are 2 early C17 memorial slabs to members of the Robinson family. Also remains of 2 memorial slabs, one with part of incised base of cross. Fragments of C14 glass in south aisle west and east windows. Restoration of 1773 included brick tower and porch, since demolished but illustrated in Speight, op p77. Additions and alterations of 1898 cost £1400.

 

References: Speight H, Lower Wharfedale, 1902, pp 77-83. Pevsner N, Yorkshire, The West Riding, 1979, pp 425-6.

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