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Research Notes

Parish Notes Northumberland

Ryal All Saints

[Population 1911: incl. with Matfen]

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Ryal All Saints. © 2000 NDFHS.


Church

All Saints Ryal (in former days spelt Ryall) was built in the middle twelfth century. Standing high on a floor of Ingoe stone, it was earlier destroyed by the Scots in 1296. After years of desolation it was restored in 1878 and the main Norman features were preserved, the grandest of these being the bell tower and beautiful arched doorway. Ancient monuments were set into the west wall, thus preserving history. The beautiful bell, which can be heard for miles around was presented by two brothers. In 1879 dedication took place, and today 'All Saints' Ryal, after an inside restoration in 1971 still functions fortnightly. [The Newcastle Diocesan Gazetteer (1982), page 40.]


A framed notice near the door reads:

* * All Saints Ryal * *

This ancient church has stood since Norman times surviving numerous Border raids and was built on the site of an older Saxon Church. It is hoped that visitors will not leave without a prayer for those who worship here and those who have loved their church and are now at rest.

Please bear in mind if you have been interested in this sacred history in stone that this church is not endowed but is maintained entirely by the voluntary contributions of the small community of Ryal.

V.R. Hill: Vicar
LBS. dest: 1939.

A brass tablet near the pulpit reads:

To the Glory of God
and in Memory of
THE WORKPEOPLE WHO DIED DURING THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE WHITTINGTON TUNNEL
AND AQUEDUCT WORKS 1901-1905
THIS TABLET AND PULPIT WERE ERECTED
BY FRIENDS
 MICHAEL MINIGHAN      AGED 50   ELLEN BAPTIST         AGED 13 
JOHN SCOTT              "  63   ELIZABETH HART          "  4½
EDWARD SMITH 'PUNCH'    "  63   ELLEN LOUISA COLEMAN    "  1½
WILLIAM HIRON           "  50   ERNEST BOOTH           INFANT
ROBERT PAGE            INFANT

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Monumental Inscriptions

A stone (table) monument cemented into the north wall of the chancel and partly hidden behind the organ reads:

H
Here lies ye Body of
Joseph Stott who
Dyd April ye 9d 1756
Aged 67 Years
MARRY his
Daughter dyd
Octobr ye 17 1757
aged 19 Years
Ann Wife to the
above Joseph Stott
obt june 11t Æt 80

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