The theme of this years flower festival is 'Special days Of the Year. We welcome you to view our displays, donated and arranged by members of our communities.
A Brief History of St. Martin's Church, Fangfoss
The earliest mention of an active church in the village of Fangfoss is recorded in 1235 when the services were conducted by a Chaplain. Close links with Barmby Moor were established in the sixteenth century when the Vicar held the curacy of Fangfoss.
ARCHITECTURE: (From a History of Yorkshire: East Riding). "The medieval Church or Chapel of St. MARTIN consisted of chancel with apsidal end and nave with South porch and West tower. The chancel was 'quite fallen down' in 1591 and 'altogether ruinous' in 1602. The building was extensively repaired in the 18th Century and repewed in the 1820's. By the 1830's the apse had gone, the tower had recently been partly rebuilt in brick and the South porch had been stripped of much of its ornamentation. *The Church was rebuilt in 1848 50 by R.D. Chantress in a Norman style, use being made of stonework from the former Norman Church, notably in the south doorway and the corbel table.
FEATURES: (From the History of Yorkshire: East Riding) "The Church had two bells in 1552 and there are still two: (i) 1628 (ii) undated. "Fangfoss has been poorly served at times. In the 1590's services were neglected by the Vicar of Barmby. NOT SO TODAY!
The stonework on the right hand side of the south porch as you enter is particularly well preserved. This is due to a 'baking' it received when part of the building was destroyed by fire, necessitating the restoration mentioned in 'A History of Yorkshire " East Riding.'
Inside the church the sanctuary ~ is made up of Minton tiles. These were provided for the Church by a relative of the Revil. Robert Minton Taylor whose photograph is located in the vestry.
Above the south porch entrance can be seen a recess with three craved figures in stone which are badly worn. It is possibly a representation of the Holy Trinity. The elliptical shaping of the recess is quite common in church architecture and similar examples can be found on the facade of St. Trophime at Aries in southern France, dating from 1180. Itis also depicted on the Royal Portal of Chartres Cathedral, but in both of these cases only a single figure is enclosed within the ellipse.
The three stained glass windows at the East end of the Church are dedicated to: (left) St. John, (centre) Christ and (right) St. Martin. The figure of a mounted knight drawing his sword through his cloak in order to share it with a beggar, highlights the act of charity for which he is remembered. (M. Bowman). The central figure of Christ, with the text "Come unto me" is in memory of Sarah Ann Eadon. The window depicting St. John is in memory of Thomas Eadon. The latter two were both associated with Fangfoss Hall, which is situated directly cast of the Church.
