History of Whitby
St Mary's Church
History of Whitby - St Mary's ChurchOvershadowed by the famous Whitby Abbey, but don't neglect to visit the beautiful and interesting St Marys Church, right at the top of the 199 steps... Find out more... While visiting Whitby Abbey, or the famous 199 steps, don't forget to call in to the nearby St Mary's Church in Whitby. This is a lovely little parish church, but can tend to be overlooked, understandably, perhaps, in favour of the far more dramatic Whitby Abbey. If you do have a few minutes, do call in at the Church and have a look around - it is steeped in the history of Whitby and has some very interesting things to see, and learn about. The Church dates from around 1100 and is quite an unusual example of an 18th Century parish church, as it's had no alterations in the 19th century Victorian era. Reach the church right at the top of the 199 steps, through the churchyard (or access from the Abbey). In the Churchyard see lots of important things for the history of Whitby:
- The cross commemorating Caedmon - England's First Poet - who lived at the early Whitby Abbey - find out more about Caedmon and the history of Whitby here...
- See the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula:
- ummarked gravestone (a suicide's grave)
- Bram Stoker set an important scene in his Dracula novel at the Church and Churchyard
- Great view of the:
The Church Interior itself is most unusual and interesting - so if you can spare a few minutes to look around it would be well worth it.
History of Whitby St Mary's Church
- The interior is Georgian (18th Century)
- A ship-like interior - built by ship builders and fitters.
- Galleried interior - the large gallery with twisted columns (picture below) is the 'Cholmley Pew' - these were local Lords of the Manor, who had the large Cholmely mansion adjoining the Abbey.
- Unusual 3 tier pulpit (dating to 1778)
- Ingenious piped tubes/trumpets from the pulpit to amplify sermons
- A charcoal stove to heat the church - great idea!
- A box pew for 'Strangers Only'.
There is a lovely, quiet contemplative atmosphere in here, and lots to see. Don't miss the small display about the church and the church's history, including: - interesting plans of the church
- folders of 199 step sponsors
- Each of the 199 steps has been sponsored - the folders give details of the sponsor of each step - very interesting reading!
There is also a small shop at St Mary's Church.Find St Mary's Church, Whitby, on the MapSt Mary's Parish Church is at the top of the 199 steps, right next to Whitby Abbey. This map is interactive. - Just use the + and - buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in and out.
- Use the arrows to move about the area.
Contact:
Whitby Parish Office
Haggersgate
Whitby
YO21 3PP
Tel: 01947 606578 Visit the official Church website, here... The church is open between 10am - 3.30pm.
Suggested donation: £1
(Correct at the date of our visit: July 2010)
More about the nearby Whitby Abbey More about the history of Whitby More about Yorkshire in British history and historical attractions to visit More Whitby Tourist Information More ideas for things to do Share your ideas for places to go and things to do and see... Tell us, here... What's your Whitby like? Let us know, here... Return from this History of Whitby St Mary's Church page to the Home Page
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