Faiths, Beliefs and Religions
The Parish Church of St. Wilfrid'sThe Parish Church of St. Wilfrid's
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The church, which gave Kirkby its name, has stood predominantly overlooking the industries, community and farms of the area.
St Wilfrid's church is a grade II listed building.
Read the full architectural description
Disaster struck on January 6th 1907 when the whole church was engulfed by fire, leaving only the tower and spire relatively undamaged.
Rebuilt very quickly, the church now has one of the most beautiful interiors with reredos and chancel screen carved from the finest oak.
St Wilfrid's is a large and active parish involved in worship, prayer and praise of God while serving the community as it has done for centuries past.
St. Wilfrid (634-709) was a zealous missionary who became Bishop of York in 669, founded many Benedictine monasteries, brought the English church into line with Rome, and initiated the conversion of the Germanic people to Christianity.
More information about St. Wilfrid
Architecture
The church has many interesting window mouldings. Below are just a few examples:
The Four Evangelists (Gospel writers)
Matthew
Symbolised as a man because he opens his story with the human origins of Jesus' geneology
Mark
Whose gospel begins with the
wild, lion-like St John the Baptist preaching in the desert
Luke
Who placed the baby Jesus in the Temple with Zechariah,
a priest whose sacrifices included oxen
John
The evangelist, whose work intently gazes on the eternal Word, recalls the eagle that
flies facing into the sun
Here Be Dragons!
Faces
Reminder of Kirkby Urban Council
Set into the churchyard wall are the Kirkby Coat of Arms.
They were removed prior to the demolition of the old Council Offices in April 1986 and given to the Church for safe-keeping.
The handing-over ceremony included the Reverend Adrian Butt and Councillor Mrs Glenys Thierry.
St.Wilfrid's is located in a designated conservation area, centred around parts of Church Street and Chapel Street in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
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