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WEST RETFORD: THE PARISH CHURCH.

The church at West Retford, which is dedicated to St. Michael, was originally a rectory of medieties, founded nearly in the thirteenth century, and the patronage shortly after became vested in the family of the Hercys of Grove; notwithstanding which, there was an inquisition taken in 1267, about the right of patronage to the mediety of this church then vacant by the death of Robert de Bugethame, of Weston, "from saturday next after the feast of our lady’s nativity," and the competitors were Galfred de Sto Medardo, who presented Robert de Sunfield, Cl.; Henry, Rector of the Romans, who presented John de Dersel, Cl. ; the Archbishop of York, who by reason of lapse collated John de Benyngworth; and Robert de Morteyn, who presented Roger de Redynge, Cl. ; when the presentation of the Archbishop of Yolk was deemed to be conclusive. The following vacancy happened in 1276, when Prince Edward, by reason of the wardenship of the heir of Hugh de Hercy, presented Thomas Fitzsymon thereunto; afterwards the medieties were consolidated on the 13th of December, 1307.

The present edifice is small but ancient, standing upon an eminence nearly in the centre of the village, and consists of a nave and south side aisle; it has a handsome octagonal spire upon a square tower, with three tolerably good bells. The exterior of the building is in excellent repair, but the interior is far otherwise, especially the pewing, which is in a very neglected state, there being very few which will afford a comfortable seat. On the 20th of May, 1788, it was agreed by the Corporation of East Retford, that a faculty should be obtained for building a new loft in the south aisle, amid for re-pewing the body of the church, but from some cause or other, it has not yet been carried into effect.

The tower and steeple are more ancient than the body, which is certainly not older than the sixteenth century: the monumental inscriptions in the interior are few, and not of an old date; there are some floor stones of the fifteenth century; and three within the altar rails, on one of which I find the following ;—

Hic jacet du Robert Holme quoda rtor isti ecclie q. obiit septimo die January anno dm millimo CCCCLIX.

In the centre is an ornamentally engraved cross, with a bible and chalice. On the one adjoining,—

Barbara Darel Eduardi Darel Armigeri uxor praesentibus chara posteris desiderata hic in spem resurectionis requiescit obiit XXII martii A^o D^m MDCLIV.

On the border circumscribing this—

"Vivit post funera virtus."

The inscription on the other is illegible. At the east end of the south aisle are three others of about the same age, but they are partly obliterated, and partly covered with pews.

This living is a rectory in the gift of the Corporation of East Retford; when Mr. Hercy was patron, its value was twenty marks.: in the king’s books it is rated at £9. 13s. 4d. and pays for tenths, 19s.; for procurations, 6s. 8d.; for subsidies, 16s.; and for synodals, 2s. Incumbent, the Rev. Abraham Youle, M. A.

The only mural monument worthy of notice has recently been erected, and is as under.

Sacred to the memory of
MARY, the beloved wife of
the REV. ABRAHAM YOULE, M. A.
who died October 8th, 1805, aged 42 years.
Also of SUSANNAH MARIA
their youngest daughter, who died July 23^rd,
1814, aged 12 years.
Also their only son,
the REV. EDWARD YOULE, B. A.
Vicar of Apesthorpe in this County,
who died April 24th, 1824, aged 33 years.

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