See also an open letter to the inhabitants of Ravenstonedale from Chris Metcalfe Gibson - click here
Become a friend of St Oswald's and help us to preserve one of the country's finest churches for the benefit of future generations. St Oswald’s Church is a landmark in our parish. It has served the community for centuries, providing shelter, education, religious and social care; a place in which to worship, and to mark personal milestones such as christenings, weddings and funerals.The churchyard is also an important part of our community, serving as a final resting place for many generations of all and denominations. The remains of the 13th century monastic Gilbertine cell remind us of the parish’s historic past.
St Oswald’s church was built in 1738 to replace an earlier church. Its fascinating Georgian interior is an historic survival and is becoming increasingly rare as more churches become modernised. Important features include a 3-tiered pulpit, inward facing oak pews, the chancel arch and south porch from the earlier church and a memorial window commemorating Elizabeth Gaunt a member of the longstanding local Fothergill family who was the last woman to be burnt at the stake at Tyburn for her faith. In consequence of its architectural and historic importance St Oswald’s is a Grade I listed building and the medieval monastic remains are scheduled monuments.
St Oswald’s is a place to enjoy. Situated in the heart of the village beside the Scandal beck in a tranquil churchyard, which serves as a haven for wildlife, it holds a very special place in the parish.
The cost of conserving and maintaining St Oswald’s church and artefacts, the churchyard, boundary walls and monastic ruins rests solely upon the congregation’s weekly contributions, regular fundraising events and the generosity of others. Unfortunately the costs outstrip income. Your contribution would help to ensure the continuation of St Oswald’s now and for future generations. To let such an historic building fall into disrepair and decay would be an irredeemable loss to the heritage and identity of this community. Thank you for your support.How You Can Help - Financial Contributions
Become a Friend of St Oswald's Church, Ravenstonedale by making a financial contribution. It is up to you to decide how much you give. You can set up a standing order or make a one-off donation. However you choose to give, a Gift Aid declaration will increase the value of your subscription at no extra cost to you.
Download Friends of St Oswald's Ravenstonedale Application Form (pdf)
Your contribution will be gratefully acknowledged. You will receive invitations to certain church events.
How You Can Help - Non Financial Contributions
If you prefer to help in practical ways St Oswald’s Church needs you as a friend too.
Tidying up the churchyard
We have two ‘Boon’ Days a year,
when we strim round the gravestones,
weed the Gilbertine Ruins and the War memorial, edge the paths and cut back
the undergrowth and dispose of grass-cuttings. The churchyard belongs to all the parish and extra help means more could be done and
need not be restricted to the Boon Days.
Decorating and Painting
Occasionally we do simple decorating e.g painting the two porches and wrought iron gates.
Flowers
We try to keep flowers in the church throughout most of the year. Perhaps there is a special anniversary for a person or event you would like to commemorate with some flowers in church.
Cleaning
We have a weekly cleaning rota for vacuuming the carpets, dusting, sweeping and polishing and an annual ‘Boon’ day when we tidy up those corners which are otherwise overlooked.
Church Locking, Clock Winding
Church locking and clock winding are undertaken by locals. It will be much appreciated if you can help.
If you have any other ideas on how you would like to help St. Oswald's we would very much like to hear from you.
Future plans
As part of an overall plan to broaden thebuilding’s use for musical events, concerts, plays etc; as well as for worship, we are improving its facilities by installing a toilet and, when funds permit, better kitchen facilities.
The erection of brown road signs to publicise the Gilbertine ruins (unique outside Lincolnshire) and church building are also needed.
Looking even further ahead, professional cleaning and repair of the Prayer Boards preserved from the earlier church, to their former glory would give even greater impact to the church interior.
On a more prosaic level the inside walls need redecorating and the Victorian clock mechanism checking over.
All these things cost money and while at the moment the Parochial Church Council through regular fundraising is able to pay for the services of our Vicar, we cannot continue to maintain this historic Grade I building and develop its potential for wider use without parishioner’s help.
Thank You
Ravenstonedale Parochial Church Council