England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Church Fenton All Saints

The Parish

The parish of Church Fenton lies in central Yorkshire, within the West Riding but at its northern edge and close to where the West Riding meets both the east Riding and the North Riding. Church Fenton is a large village situated about 5 miles south of the brewing town of Tadcaster. Within the wider parish are also included the townships of Little Fenton and Biggin. Church Fenton sits, in lanes, about 2 miles east of the A162 road which connects Tadcaster with Sherburn in Elmet. Modern developments include the York to Sheffield rail line and a large World War II air base close to the northeast. Church Fenton would have been an agricultural settlement at the time of this transcript, with a mixed farming economy balancing pastoral with arable methods. Church Fenton sits within the broad flood plain of the River Wharfe and various streams and man-made channels drain the parish north to join that river which then heads eastwards to reach the North Sea through the Humber Estuary. Church Fenton is sited at under 10 metres above the sea in a broad plain at or about that level for many miles. Church Fenton parish was fairly typically sized for its area, it covered around 3,500 acres and would have supported a population of about 600 parishioners, two-thirds being in Church Fenton itself. In Domesday times this was a relatively depopulated area, held by one Ilbert de Lacy it could justify just a single plough and was a tiny place, indeed.

The Church

All Saints' church sits on the southern edge of the village on the eastern side of the lane, Church Street, heading for Sherburn in Elmet. The cruciform plan of the church with central crossing tower is an indication of an early church, the church when seen from above forming the representation of the cross. In this case the church has extensive work from the Early English Gothic period and Pevsner dates the bulk of the church to the 13th century. For some reason, however, the tower of that date was completely rebuilt in 15th century - reasons are lost but probably were the result of imminent collapse. Further work from both 14th and 15th centuries is noted in the form of Decorated style western windows as well as the western bays of the arcade which show the Perpendicular style. For once Pevsner does not mention any extensive Victorian restoration and what ever took place was likely to be minimal and sensitive to the styles remaining. Church Street is broad enough for parking to not be a problem, the church sits behind a low brick wall with metal gates granting access. Views of the church from the western side are a little restricted by trees but other angles are free for photography.