St Wilfrid's Church

St Wilfrid’s is a beautiful medieval stone building overlooking the Trent Valley. At one time the Church was an outpost for the Knights Hospitallers of St John and has many interesting features, old and new. The Knights Hospitallers, who were given the Church and surrounding land in 1165, were a change-making presence in this small village.

These Knights played a major role in the crusades, had great political influence throughout European history with large estates across the continent, and at one time the largest landowners in England. Research shows only two British churches developed by the Hospitallers remain structurally unchanged since the Order was dissolved in 1540.  St Wilfrid’s is one of these.

The awarding of a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant (amongst others) has allowed a huge transformation project to take place revealing magnificent architecture. This includes what is perhaps the oldest alabaster effigy of a priest in the country, the most extensive paintwork surviving on a medieval effigy and the history of its hatchments and graffiti! A time-capsule has been buried for future generations to discover!