St Martin's Church, Whenby

St Martin’s Church stands in the quiet North Yorkshire village of Whenby. A redundant Anglican church, it was rebuilt in the 15th century on the site of an earlier building and later restored between 1871 and 1910. The church became redundant in 1982 and was placed in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust the following year. Constructed from ironstone with Welsh slate roofs, it follows the Perpendicular style. The tower has two stages with buttresses and a parapet, while the porch is especially elaborate. The church is notable for its fine architectural details. Inside, oak screens separate the nave from the chancel and the aisle from the chapel, the older screen dating from the 15th century. The font, also from the 15th century, has an octagonal bowl. Benches in the nave probably date from the 16th century, and a parish chest from the same period survives. A coat of arms of George III dated 1821 hangs over the south door, and three bells hang in the tower, the oldest from about 1380. Visitors find a simple but dignified interior. The two-bay nave and chancel are linked by an arcade, and the chapel lies at the east end of the aisle. A blocked west doorway and bell openings punctuate the tower, while windows of two or three lights light the walls. The embattled parapets run along the exterior, giving the building a fortified appearance. The church stands empty but preserved, a quiet witness to centuries of worship in Whenby.