Jervaulx Abbey
Ripon, Yorkshire
A tranquil, historic and beautiful Abbey in North Yorkshire.
Built in 1868, St Matthew's remained as a daughter church to the parish of Wensley until 1956. It is the only church built by the architect Christopher George Wray and is described as being in the geometrical style. The church is located at the east end of the Market Place. The tower displays the only public clock in Leyburn.
The church is constructed in sandstone and has a hammer beam roof which is covered in Welsh slate. Its interior has been regularly modified to ensure it meets the needs of the local community.
As part of the war memorials there are tablets commemorating not just those who died, but all those who served in the Great War.
The church is a lifeline for the local community; in particular for elderly members of the community who have limited access to facilities within the town. The church also runs a lunch club, a warm space during the winter, as well as operating a food bank in partnership with the Wensleydale Open Pantry.