Church of Christ the Consoler
Encyclopedia
The Church of Christ the Consoler is a Victorian Gothic Revival church built in the Early English style by William Burges
. It is located in the grounds of Newby Hall
at Skelton-on-Ure
, in North Yorkshire
, England
. Burges was commissioned by George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon
, to build it as a tribute to the Marquess' brother-in-law, Frederick Vyner.
Vyner was "taken prisoner by Greek brigands in the neighborhood of Athens April 11th 1870 and murdered by them April 21st." A significant ransom had been demanded, and in part collected, before his murder. Vyner's mother determined that the unused funds would be used to construct a memorial church on her Yorkshire estate, his sister, Lady Ripon, embarking on an identical project, building St Mary's Church on her estate at Studley Royal. Burges obtained the commissions for both churches in 1870, perhaps because of the connection between his greatest patron, John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute
, and Vyner, who had been friends at Oxford.
The construction of the Church of Christ the Consoler began in 1871 and the church was complete by 1876. The interior style is rich, with members of Burges' favourite team, e.g. Nicholls and Lonsdale, contributing. It is particularly interesting as representing an architectural move from Burges' favourite Early French style to an English inspiration. Pevsner
describes it thus: "Of determined originality, the impression is one of great opulence, even if of a somewhat elephantine calibre".
The church was vested
in the Churches Conservation Trust
on 14 December 1991.
William Burges (architect)
William Burges was an English architect and designer. Amongst the greatest of the Victorian art-architects, Burges sought in his work an escape from 19th century industrialisation and a return to the values, architectural and social, of an imagined mediaeval England...
. It is located in the grounds of Newby Hall
Newby Hall
Newby Hall is an historic mansion house and Grade I listed building situated on the banks of the River Ure at Skelton-on-Ure, near Boroughbridge in North Yorkshire, England.-History:...
at Skelton-on-Ure
Skelton-on-Ure
Skelton-on-Ure or Skelton is a village and civil parish in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire, England. It is situated about 1 mile west of Boroughbridge, near the A1 road motorway....
, in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Burges was commissioned by George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon
George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon
George Frederick Samuel Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon KG, GCSI, CIE, PC , known as Viscount Goderich from 1833 to 1859 and as the Earl de Grey and Ripon from 1859 to 1871, was a British politician who served in every Liberal cabinet from 1861 until his death forty-eight years later.-Background...
, to build it as a tribute to the Marquess' brother-in-law, Frederick Vyner.
Vyner was "taken prisoner by Greek brigands in the neighborhood of Athens April 11th 1870 and murdered by them April 21st." A significant ransom had been demanded, and in part collected, before his murder. Vyner's mother determined that the unused funds would be used to construct a memorial church on her Yorkshire estate, his sister, Lady Ripon, embarking on an identical project, building St Mary's Church on her estate at Studley Royal. Burges obtained the commissions for both churches in 1870, perhaps because of the connection between his greatest patron, John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute
John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute
John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute KT, KSG, KGCHS was a landed aristocrat, industrial magnate, antiquarian, scholar, philanthropist and architectural patron.-Early life:...
, and Vyner, who had been friends at Oxford.
The construction of the Church of Christ the Consoler began in 1871 and the church was complete by 1876. The interior style is rich, with members of Burges' favourite team, e.g. Nicholls and Lonsdale, contributing. It is particularly interesting as representing an architectural move from Burges' favourite Early French style to an English inspiration. Pevsner
Pevsner
Pevsner is a surname, and may refer to:* Antoine Pevsner , a Russian sculptor* Sir Nikolaus Pevsner , a German-born British scholar of the history of architecture;** ....
describes it thus: "Of determined originality, the impression is one of great opulence, even if of a somewhat elephantine calibre".
The church was vested
Vesting
In law, vesting is to give an immediately secured right of present or future enjoyment. One has a vested right to an asset that cannot be taken away by any third party, even though one may not yet possess the asset. When the right, interest or title to the present or future possession of a legal...
in the Churches Conservation Trust
Churches Conservation Trust
The Churches Conservation Trust, which was initially known as the Redundant Churches Fund, is a charity whose purpose is to protect historic churches at risk, those that have been made redundant by the Church of England. The Trust was established by the Pastoral Measure of 1968...
on 14 December 1991.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in North YorkshireGrade I listed buildings in North YorkshireThere are approximately 372,905 listed buildings in England and 2.5% of these are Grade I. This page is a list of these buildings in the county of North Yorkshire, by district.-Craven:-Hambleton:-Harrogate:-Middlesbrough:-Redcar & Cleveland:...
- List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in Northern England