Church of Saint Oswald, King and Martyr, Oswaldkirk, Medieval church in Oswaldkirk, North Yorkshire, England.
The Church of Saint Oswald in Oswaldkirk sits on a hillside and displays Norman architecture with a 12th-century entrance portal. The building's interior and exterior are marked by Celtic stonework patterns carved into the masonry throughout.
The church was built around 1101, replacing an earlier wooden Anglo-Saxon chapel that once occupied the same site. Remains of an Anglo-Saxon stone cross from the pre-Norman era still survive within the building today.
Saint Oswald, the Anglo-Saxon king and saint for whom the church is named, continues to hold meaning in local devotion and community gatherings. The building serves the village as both a place of worship and a social hub where residents gather throughout the year.
The site is easily accessible on foot from the village center and sits atop a rise with views across the surrounding countryside. Visitors should check ahead as access may be restricted during certain events or services held throughout the year.
Inside the church sits a carved stone relief from around 1000 depicting the Virgin and Child, a rare example of early medieval sculpture in the region. Two 17th-century bells hung in the tower continue to ring during services, connecting centuries of sound to the present day.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.