| Location: |
Dacre Village |
| Description: |
12th century church, Grade I listed. Believed to occupy the site of an Anglo-Saxon monastery mentioned by the Venerable Bede in his Ecclesiastical History of 698 AD, the stone drains of which still exist. It comprises a Norman tower rebuilt in 1810, nave, whose arcades date from the 13th century, north and south aisles, and the chancel, the oldest part of the church which dates from the late 12th century. Off the chancel is the vestry. Lying against the north wall of the Sanctuary is a medieval effigy in red sandstone of a cross legged crusader knight, thought to be an early Lord Dacre. Also in the chancel are two fragments of stone cross-shafts from the Viking period, one dating from 9th century, and the other from the 10th/11th century. Stained glass windows in the chancel are dedicated to members of the Hasell Family who own it, the most recent being the so called "Whistler Window" dedicated in 1944 in memory of Edward Hasell's elder daughter Sylvia Mary McCosh. Designed and engraved by Sir Lawrence Whistler, it is the last he made before his death. The most recent stained glass window is in the south aisle and is in memory of Viscount Willie Whitelaw, former deputy prime minister and parishioner, who was laid to rest in the churchyard. The door to the south wall of the nave is secured by a lock and key donated by Lady Anne Clifford, bearing the date 1671 and the initials A.P. for Anne, Countess of Pembroke. The four corners of the graveyard are marked by carved stone figures, known as the Dacre Bears, though one is said to look more like a lion. Various theories attempt to explain their original purpose. |
| 1st Sunday: |
9.30 am Holy Communion |
| 2nd Sunday: |
8.00 am Holy Communion BCP; 9.30 am Morning Prayer BCP; 9.30 am Family Service at Stainton School |
| 3rd Sunday: |
9.30 am Holy Commuion BCP |
| 4th Sunday: |
8.00 am Holy Communion BCP; 9.30 am Family Communion |
| 5th Sunday: |
9.30 am Holy Communion |
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