St James, Fordon celebrates 900 years

We were honoured to play a role in the Fordon 900 celebrations and we'd like to share the Press Release that was issued by the Diocese of York;

St James’ church, Fordon celebrated its 900th anniversary with a visit from the Archbishop of York, and a beer.  Archbishop Sentamu visited St James on Sunday 19th July for a service and lunch, where parishioners toasted the church with a beer from Wold Top Brewery – Fordon 900.

The Revd Barbara Hodgson, Assistant Curate at St James’ said, “It was wonderful to be joined by Archbishop Sentamu for our 900th anniversary, and a real privilege for the church to have a beer created especially for us!  The church at Fordon was built between 1086 and 1115, and has seen many uses over the centuries, being a Chapel of Ease, a resort for outlaws and a shelter for sheep and lambs.

“It is now a delightful church which is lovingly cared for by its dedicated worshipping community. It is the only communal building in the hamlet and hold Open Days, weddings and baptisms here.  One of our church members cycled 45 miles around the area to raise money for the heating system, and another family donated an organ because they found the spirituality they needed in the church.  Everyone who comes loves the peace and calm of this little church on the hill and finds it a place to meet God in the quiet of this beautiful part of rural Yorkshire.”

Gill Mellor of Wold Top Brewery said, “St James Church has always been important to our family.  Not only is the brewery based on our family farm just up the road from Fordon, but Jenni our youngest daughter was christened there twenty six years ago. We are now fourth generation farmers and care greatly about our countryside and rural churches.  We have an events company at the brewery, Muddy Souls, and if people want to have their wedding reception with us, we encourage them to get married in the church first.

“When Barbara approached us about producing a beer for the church we were delighted!  We also hosted the last part of the service and the lunch here at the Brewery and in the garden and are very pleased and proud to be a part of the event.”

Archbishop Sentamu said, “It’s been great to celebrate with the people of Fordon and give thanks to God for the centuries of service this church has given to the village.  It’s good to see that the church is still at the heart of village life, and to see the relationship they’ve got with Wold Top.  The brewery have been generous with their hospitality and their beer, and I hope this relationship will go from strength to strength.”

Thanks to John Walker for the photograph