Kilham is an attractive Wolds village which was one an important Market town and more important than nearby Driffield. The church reflects this past importance.
It is set on a rise above the main street and is a sturdy stone building. There has been a church here since Norman times and the present church exhibits a range of styles from the Norman doorway to the Georgian windows. The nave is C12th and has a decorative corbel table beneath the roof with carved grotesque heads. The chancel was built in the C14th and the west tower is C15th. The south porch was added in the C17th.
There is little information about the church on the web and no information in the church either.
The most impressive part of the church is the lovely Norman south door with its seven arches carved with chevrons. These are supported by round pillars which have carved capitals. The diamond carving above the door is most unusual and dates from the C17th when the porch was added.
Inside it is a large rather spartan church with wood ceiling and whitewashed walls. Large plain glass Georgian windows in the nave flood the church with light. Above the door is the Royal Coat of Arms. At the back is the simple C12th Norman tub font with an arcade of blank round topped arches carved round the sides. The carved wooden pulpit is much more recent. In the nave are solid oak pews, again a fairly recent addition.
The nave is equally simple with wood panelling below the stained glass window with the crucifixion. The altar has a carving of the Last Supper on the base. Above the altar is a wall mounted panel with Christ in the centre with four of the apostles, set on a gold mosaic background. On the north wall is a rather nice modern stained glass window.
The church is kept locked but a key is available from Harrisons and Sons butcher’s shop just across the road. (They are shut on a Monday). There is plenty of on road parking in the village. There is level access into the church.
There are more pictures “here.”:http://wasleys.org.uk/eleanor/churches/england/yorkshire/east_riding/east_two/kilham/index.html
