Saint Lambert’s Church, Burneston

As you approach St Lambert’s Church, Burneston, you are wowed by its magnificent octagonal spire soaring up into the sky. If you are walking up to the Church via the western or northern sides you will go through one of the two beautiful gateways, which were built in the 15th Century and are Grade II listed.

Inside the Church you cannot help but love the stained glass window on the east wall, which is dedicated to the Duke of Cleveland and installed at the request of the Duchess during the renovations of the Victorian period.

Then there is the wonderful three level Robinson pew in the north aisle from where the family would have had a great view of the congregation. Look up and you will see magnificent roof wood work, around you there is outstanding medieval stonework.

Apart from being the largest Church in the Benefice capable of seating 300 people it is the only Anglican Church in England to be dedicated to St Lambert who was a missionary Saint and Bishop of Mastricht in Holland in the late 7th Century.

Churches ooze a feeling of history and previous incumbents include the Rev Matthew Robinson and Revd Cannon John Hartley.

Revd Matthew Robinson was Vicar in the late 17th Century and is buried beside the altar. He was trained in theology and medicine and was the generous founder of three charities, which still exist today and bring benefits to local people. One was for the alms-houses, another to assist the poor and the third an educational foundation for a school.

Revd Cannon John Hartley was Vicar 1874 – 1919 and was one of the earliest winners of the Wimbledon All England Men’s Singles in 1879 and 1880. He was a generous man, much loved by local people and remembered even into the start of the 21 st Century by long living parishioners who had been prepared for confirmation by him. The first year he won Wimbledon he did not expect to reach the finals so had to come back to Yorkshire after the semi-finals to take the services on Sunday before returning to Wimbledon on the Monday to win the finals. He lived in the Vicarage, which is now Burneston Hall where he had five grass tennis courts. He is buried outside the east window of the Church.

The present Church, which succeed an earlier one was built in three stages. The chancel in the 14th Century, the tower in the 15th Century and the nave in the 16th Century. The Church was then renovated in 1854 by the Duchess of Cleveland who described it as “quite a model for a country parish”. The Church was Grade I listed in 1966.