St Mary the Virgin
Richmond, Yorkshire
Raised on a hillside above the River Swale, the history of Christian church building can be traced through the fabric of St Mary's from the 12th to the 21st centuries.
Situated 4 miles from Richmond, adjacent to the A6108, St Michael & All Angels dates from 1180 and was at the centre of the village of Downholme until the plague affected the area and the village was removed to a new position a mile away. Downholme is referred to as 'Dune' in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The village's name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word 'dun' meaning hill. The suffix 'holme', comes from the Anglo Saxon word 'holegn' meaning holly and appears to have been added at a later date. The stone exterior of this suggests more than a primitive Dales chapel. There is decorated tracery, including the 14th century east window that is described as 'three trefoiled ogee lights with reticulated tracery above and within a two centred double chamfered arch with a label'.
The south doorway is Norman and original to the building. Amongst the points of interest are: The 14th century gravestone incorporated into the 18th century porch, depicting a stepped cross with a flowered head, all in incised lines, and with a pair of shearsby its side. The stone coffin near the chancel door that is thought to be Saxon. The large hatchments on the north wall depicting the arms of the Hutton family, whose magnificent memorial is in the chancel of St Mary's, Richmond.
