Memorials, Windows, and Registers of
Church of St Andrew

The church contains a remarkable collection of memorial tablets, stained-glass windows, gravestones, and parish registers which together tell the story of Kildwick and its people across many centuries.

Memorial Tablets and Monuments

The walls and pillars of the church are lined with memorial tablets commemorating prominent local families and clergy from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Among the most significant are monuments to:

The Currer family, long-standing lords of the manor and major benefactors, whose memorials dominate the north choir (formerly the Chantry or Scarborough Chapel)

The Swire, Wainman, Garforth, Spencer, Heaton, Harper, and Netherwood families, many of whom played leading roles in local justice, landholding, and parish life

Clergy including Revd John Pering (Vicar 1806–1843) and Sir Mathew Wilson, Bart.

Several monuments were moved or repositioned during the major restoration of 1901–1903, though care was taken to preserve inscriptions and locations as accurately as possible.

Stained-Glass Windows

The church’s stained glass reflects both medieval heritage and Victorian renewal.

Earlier windows recorded by antiquarians such as Dr Whitaker included donor portraits and prayers dating from the early 16th century, many of which were lost during periods of iconoclasm.

The present windows, largely 19th-century, include:

A richly symbolic east window (1854) depicting Christ and the Evangelists

Memorial windows illustrating scenes such as The Ascension, The Transfiguration, The Good Shepherd, The Nativity, and Christ blessing children

Windows commemorating parish clergy and local families, including the Currer, Wainman, Garforth, Spencer, Marsden, and Fawcett families

Together they form a visual narrative of Christian faith, teaching, and remembrance.

Gravestones and Burials

Many notable parishioners are buried beneath the church floor, particularly within the chancel and sanctuary. These include members of the Currer, Wainman, Garforth, Spencer, Heaton, Smith, and Oates families.

During the 1901–03 restoration, several gravestones were relocated, and a small number were found to have been accidentally mis-positioned over earlier remains—an error carefully recorded in the historical account.

Parish Registers

The parish registers are among the church’s most valuable historical treasures.

Baptisms date from 1575

Marriages from 1576

Burials from 1572

There are 36 register volumes covering baptisms, marriages, and burials from 1572 to the early 20th century, along with nine banns registers. Many volumes are in excellent condition and record families still associated with the parish today.

The registers document national events as well as local life, including gaps during the English Civil War, Commonwealth-era marriages, and early records from Silsden chapel.

These are now stored in the archives at Northallerton.

A Living Record

Together, these memorials, windows, gravestones, and registers form a continuous record of faith, community, and local history spanning more than 400 years. They bear witness not only to prominent families and clergy, but also to generations of ordinary parishioners whose lives were shaped by worship at St Andrew’s.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

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Planning your Visit

A Warm Welcome

If you're new to church, new to the area, returning after some time away, or simply wondering whether church might be for you, you are very welcome at Kildwick, Cononley & Bradley.

You don't need to know what to do, what to say or even what you believe. Just come as you are. Our churches are places where people can worship, ask questions, find friendship and explore faith together.

We are one parish with three churches: St Andrew's Kildwick, St John's Cononley and The Bradley Church. Each is a little different, but wherever you join us, we hope you will find a warm welcome.

Find our Sunday services

What are we about?

At the heart of our life together is Jesus Christ and his call to love God and love our neighbour.

For many years we have expressed our mission in four simple words:

Sharing, Caring, Growing in Christ

In Christ

Everything begins with God's love for us in Jesus Christ. We don't come to church because we have everything sorted out. We come to worship, to pray, to learn and to discover more of what it means to follow Jesus.

Growing

Faith is a journey. None of us has all the answers, and there is always more to discover. Through worship, prayer, the Bible and one another, we seek to grow in faith and in our understanding of God.

Caring

Following Jesus means caring for one another and for the communities around us. We seek to put God's love into practice through friendship, compassion, service and care for our neighbours.

Sharing

The good news of Jesus is something to be shared. We want to share God's hope, love and peace through what we say, but also through how we live and how we serve others.

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This is reflected in our vision for the parish:

Living out our faith, rooted in service; embracing everybody equally.

We want these to be more than words. They describe the kind of Christian community we are seeking to become.

What happens if I come on Sunday?

You don't need to book or let us know that you're coming. Just turn up.

Our services vary across our three churches. Some are traditional celebrations of Holy Communion, while others are more informal. You can find the time and location of this week's services on our Sunday Services page.

When you arrive, there will usually be someone to welcome you and give you anything you need for the service. You are welcome to sit wherever you like.

Don't worry if you aren't familiar with the service or don't know when to stand or sit. Just follow along as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. Nobody will mind if you get something 'wrong'.

See our Sunday services

Do I need to be a Christian?

No.

You might have been a Christian for many years, be returning to church after a long time away, have lots of questions, or simply be curious.

You don't have to have faith sorted out before coming to church. Exploring, questioning and sometimes doubting are all part of the journey.

Whatever your background, faith or spiritual beliefs, you are welcome.

What should I wear?

Whatever you normally wear!

There is no dress code. Some people dress smartly, others come in jeans and trainers. Come in whatever makes you comfortable.

What about children?

Children and families are very welcome at our churches.

We know that children make noise, move around and don't always behave like adults, and that's absolutely fine. Please don't worry about having to keep them perfectly quiet.

We also have activities especially for children and families throughout the year.

Find out about Children & Families

Will I be expected to give money?

No.

There may be an opportunity to give during or after a service, but visitors should never feel under any pressure to contribute. Please simply be our guest.

Can I receive Communion?

If you normally receive Holy Communion in your own church, you are welcome to receive with us.

If you would prefer not to receive Communion, you are still very welcome to come forward for a blessing, or simply remain in your seat. There is no pressure either way.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies between our three historic church buildings. You can find specific access information on each church's page, or please contact us if we can help you plan your visit.

Getting involved

Coming to a Sunday service is only one way to be part of our parish.

Throughout the week there are opportunities to meet people, pray, learn, sing, serve our communities and simply spend time together. Have a look at our What's On pages to see what might interest you.

You can also sign up for our weekly email newsletter to find out what's happening across Kildwick, Cononley & Bradley.

See What's On
Get our Weekly Newsletter

Still have questions?

Please get in touch. It doesn't matter whether your question is about a service, accessibility, children, faith, or simply which of our churches might be right for you.

We would be very happy to help.

Contact Us

A word from Mike

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I'm Mike Green, the Vicar of Kildwick, Cononley & Bradley.

Finding your way into a church for the first time can sometimes feel daunting, particularly if you're not sure what to expect. I hope you'll discover that you don't need to know the right words, understand everything we do, or have all the answers before you come.

Whoever you are, and wherever you are on your journey of faith, there is a place for you here.

I hope we'll have the opportunity to welcome you in person soon.

Best wishes,
Revd Mike

Memorials, Windows, and Registers of Church of St Andrew