Great Ouseburn · Little Ouseburn · Marton-cum-Grafton · Whixley with Green Hammerton
‘Sharing God’s Love in our Communities’
Our village churches sit in the heart of the attractive Vale of York, equidistant from York and Harrogate. Together we form a welcoming community of faith — open to all, whatever your background, belief or walk of life. Everyone is warmly welcome.
Our village churches sit in the heart of the attractive Vale of York, equidistant from York and Harrogate. Together we form a welcoming community of faith — open to all, whatever your background, belief or walk of life.
Choose a church to find out more about it.
Great Ouseburn Little Ouseburn Marton cum Grafton Whixley Green Hammerton
St Mary the Virgin plays a central role in the life of Great Ouseburn. The church is open at all times, and weekly services are held jointly with Holy Trinity, Little Ouseburn. Children take a full part in all services, sharing readings, intercessions and other duties with adults.
Carol Services, a Crib Service and a Good Friday Workshop are enjoyed by all, and older members of the community meet monthly for Coffee and Communion. The churches share a thriving choir of 20 or more voices, RSCM-affiliated and rehearsing each Tuesday evening, which enhances worship on the first Sunday of each month and sings for weddings, funerals and special occasions throughout the year.
The church probably dates from the 12th century. Its most distinctive features are the unbuttressed tower with round-headed slit windows and the Norman tower arch. The nave and aisles were rebuilt in 1823, retaining the mainly 13th-century arcades and the 15th-century chancel arch; a further restoration in 1883 added the south chapel for the Thompson family of Kirby Hall.
The outstanding Good Shepherd window in the bell tower was designed by Carl Almquist after 1866 — look closely and you can see his Swedish roots in the background. The two bells were cast by Edward Seller in 1738 and 1750; the clock was installed in 1898 by public subscription to mark Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
The old churchyard is managed for wildlife, home to an increasing diversity of wildflowers and British native trees planted in memory of loved ones. A complete history is available in the church.
Holy Trinity, its mausoleum and attendant yews, and the nearby Georgian bridge are charmingly set on a bend in the road in a landscape that retains much of the feeling of 18th-century parkland. The church is a Grade I listed building — one of the most significant historic designations possible.
Anne Brontë sketched Holy Trinity while worshipping here in the mid-19th century with the Robinson family, by whom she was employed as Governess — a connection that has drawn visitors for generations.
The tower and chancel date from the 11th century; the south aisle, arcades and chancel arch from the 14th century; and the battlements and pinnacles on the tower from the 15th century. In 1874–75 the north aisle was rebuilt to provide an organ chamber and vestry by the distinguished Lancaster architects Paley and Austin.
Notable features include the east window — described by Pevsner as being "of more than ordinary interest" — with intersecting tracery dating from around 1320 and stained glass inserted after 1928 in memory of the Ambler family. The choir stalls of 1875 incorporate three fine late-medieval ends with shields, birds, tracery and inscriptions.
To the southwest stands a mausoleum built for Henry Thompson of Kirby Hall, who died in 1760. Purchased and fully restored by the Friends of Thompson Mausoleum with English Heritage support, it was gifted to York Conservation Trust in 2009.
Christ Church was built in 1875, replacing an earlier 12th-century church that stood about a mile from Marton; many materials from the original building are incorporated in the new one. Built of stone in the Early English pointed style, it consists of a rectangular nave with a double bell-cot on the west gable, north porch, chancel and south-east vestry.
The Church of the Ascension stands on an elevated site at the edge of Whixley, a conservation area village in a rural and agricultural setting, with views across the surrounding countryside. Weekly services are attended by 25 to 35 parishioners, with annual services for Lent, Ascension, Harvest and Christmas, and the church serves the wider community for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.
A Grade II* listed building, the church has its roots in the 12th and 13th centuries. It comprises a west tower, nave, north and south aisles, south porch, chancel, north-east organ chamber and boiler house. Norman connections are clearly visible in the font and the stone-framed north window, supplemented by Victorian restorations and a thorough 20th-century programme of works.
Among the notable features are several stained-glass windows, remains of mediaeval paintwork on the stone arcade at the west end, and memorial plaques on the walls and window ledges. The building has deep historical associations with the Tancred family of Whixley Hall, whose marble tomb occupies the south-west corner adjacent to the bell tower entrance. The peal of six bells is in excellent condition and played regularly by resident ringers and visiting teams.
St Thomas's Chapel of Ease lies on York Road, with the Church of England Primary School to the rear. It falls within the Parish of Whixley with Green Hammerton, and was granted Grade II listed status in 2008.
Built in 1873–76 on land donated by Henry Farrer, Lord of the Manor, at the instigation of the Reverend William Valentine, the chapel was designed by the distinguished Victorian architect Sir George Gilbert Scott — also responsible for the Albert Memorial and St Pancras station. Its purpose was to relieve parishioners of the walk to Whixley Parish Church.
The organ chantry was added in 1899 by public subscription. The church contains high-quality stained-glass windows by nationally known firms including Clayton and Bell (both trained initially by Gilbert Scott) and James Powell. It is mentioned in Nikolaus Pevsner's The Buildings of England.
St Thomas's is open to visitors for viewing or private meditation during daylight hours, and is available for Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
We offer a range of bespoke youth groups and services across the Benefice as listed below. Please see Services for dates and times.
A Christian-led community youth group run by local churches. Meeting on Wednesdays in either Great Ouseburn or Boroughbridge, as a fun and lively session for young people in Year 6 and High School age. Children are invited from across the local area for fun, games, refreshments and Christian discussion. Free to attend.
Great Ouseburn
When: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
Where: Great Ouseburn Village Hall, YO26 9RL
Contact: [email protected]
Boroughbridge
When: 4th Wednesday of the month
Where: Boroughbridge Social Club (Upper Room), 14 Fishergate, YO51 9AL
Contact: Rev Claire Renshaw – [email protected]
A service suitable for all the family where children are actively encouraged to take part together in the service itself.
Parish Praise meets on Sundays at various churches at 10.30am or 4pm across the Benefice. Please see our Services page or contact Lay Minister George Rowden for further information.
An informal 45 minute service for all children with parents/carers. This includes a simple craft activity followed by a tasty bite to eat. A family time to learn more about Jesus and explore the Bible in a relaxed social setting.
When: 4pm 1st Sunday of the month
Where: Venues vary – please see Services for more details
For more information please contact Lay Minister George Rowden.
A lovely relaxed setting for children of primary school age to learn more about Jesus and the stories in the Bible.
When: 4pm on the 4th Sunday of every month (during term time)
Where: Green Hammerton Primary School
More information about how to donate will be added here soon.
Revd Sarah Feaster
Revd Wilf Gowling
George Rowden
Great Ouseburn
Susie Hunter-Smart & Rosy Jamieson
Little Ouseburn
Position Vacant
Marton cum Grafton
Position Vacant
Whixley & Green Hammerton
Enid Fisher
Revd Sarah Feaster
The Vicarage, Main Street
Great Ouseburn, North Yorkshire, YO26 9RQ
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
Alongside our traditional Sunday and mid-week services we also offer contemporary worship evenings. Take a look at the link below for further details of all services.
Our current service rota is available to download below.
Memorial Service for All Souls – Holy Trinity Church, Little Ouseburn, 5.00pm
All Saints Day (4th Sunday before Advent)
Holy Communion – St Thomas' Chapel of Ease, Green Hammerton, 9.00am
Holy Communion – St Mary's Church, Great Ouseburn, 10.30am
Café Church – Little Ouseburn Village Hall, 4.00pm
Holy Communion – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 10.30am
Remembrance Sunday (3rd Sunday before Advent)
Holy Communion – Church of the Ascension, Whixley, 9.00am
Holy Communion – St Mary's Church, Great Ouseburn, 10.30am
Holy Communion – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 10.30am
Parish Praise – St Thomas' Chapel of Ease, Green Hammerton, 10.30am
Act of Remembrance – Whixley War Memorial, 10.50am
Contemporary Worship – St Thomas' Chapel, Green Hammerton, 7.15pm
Morning Prayer – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 10.30am
2nd Sunday before Advent
Holy Communion – St Thomas' Chapel of Ease, Green Hammerton, 10.30am
Parish Praise – Holy Trinity Church, Little Ouseburn, 10.30am
Parish Praise – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 4.00pm
Morning Prayer – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 10.30am
Christ the King
Patronal United Benefice Service of Holy Communion – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 10.30am
Sunday School – Green Hammerton School, 4.00pm
Contemporary Worship – St Thomas' Chapel, Green Hammerton, 7.15pm
Morning Prayer – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 10.30am
Advent Sunday
United Benefice Service of Holy Communion – Holy Trinity Church, Little Ouseburn, 10.30am
We warmly welcome enquiries about Baptism (Christening) for children and adults across all our churches. Please contact the Vicar in the first instance.
Baptism Information (PDF)Details of events taking place across our churches and villages in the coming months.
Harvest Supper and Auction – Whixley Village Hall, 7.00 for 7.30pm
Coffee Morning – Marton cum Grafton Memorial Hall, 10am-12noon, in aid of Marton cum Grafton Primary School
Great Ouseburn Beer Festival – Great Ouseburn Village Hall, 1.00pm-11.30pm
Harvest Communion, followed by light lunch – St Mary's Church, Great Ouseburn, 11am, in aid of Christian Aid's Appeal for Flood Relief in Nepal
Coffee and Chat – Great Ouseburn Village Hall, from 11.30am
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am
Youth Group – Great Ouseburn Village Hall, 7pm-8.30pm
Coffee Morning – Green Hammerton Village Hall, 10am-12noon
Harvest Communion, followed by light refreshments – Holy Trinity Church, Little Ouseburn, 6.30pm
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am
Community Café & Chat – Whixley Village Hall, 9.30am-11.30am
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am
Youth Group – Great Ouseburn Village Hall, 7pm-8.30pm
Home Group – Whixley, 7pm. “Playing God in gene editing”
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am
Coffee and Chat – Great Ouseburn Village Hall, from 11.30am
Youth Group – Great Ouseburn Village Hall, 7pm-8.30pm
Coffee Morning – Marton cum Grafton Memorial Hall, 10am-12noon, in aid of the WI
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am
Coffee Morning – Green Hammerton Village Hall, 10am-12noon
Community Café & Chat – Whixley Village Hall, 9.30am-11.30am
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am
Home Group – Whixley, 7pm. “Christian Consumerism”
Coffee and Company – Christ Church, Marton cum Grafton, 11am