St Ebba's Church Beadnell Village

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Saint Ebba's Parish Church

St Ebba's Church The first church of Beadnell was a small chapel on the rocky point known as Ebb's Nook, near to the harbour. Tradition suggests that a building may have been erected on this spot at a very early period, not long perhaps after Christianity was introduced into Northumbria in the seventh century. It was dedicated to Saint Ebba who was the sister of Saint Oswald, King of Northumbria. Certainly a number of churches were founded by the liberality of King Oswald who resided at Bamburgh in the early part of his reign.

The scanty ruins now to be found on Ebb's Nook are of a small chapel, about 55 feet by 15 feet, built in the thirteenth century. This was described in 1734 as entirely ruined, but burials took place in the little garth to the west of the chapel down to 1769.

This ancient chapel was replaced by another which stood on the green between the two rows of houses in the village, probably very near to the present church. In the early eighteenth century this was little used and was in poor order.

In 1746 it was rebuilt on the present site, a very simple structure without a chancel, but with a gallery at the west end. This was enlarged in 1792 and then in 1860 it was largely rebuilt and given Gothic-style windows. It was at this time that the charming little spire was built together with the pierced octagonal stone screen around it's foot, also the gables and the butteresses.

Saint Ebba's was for centuries a chapel of ease to the great mother church of Saint Aidan, Bamburgh. The parish of Beadnell was created in 1854.

The church contains memorials to several local families. The most recent stained glass window, churchyard depicting St Oswald and St Ebba and a number of other Northern Saints, is a memorial to the men of the village who died in the Second World War.

Saint Ebba's remains a simple village church, but it has a high place in the loyality and affection of the people of Beadnell. We who have the good fortune to live in this village and worship in this church extend a warm welcome to all who come here for rest and recreation.

Sunday: The Eucharist 9.00am

Evening Prayer 4.00pm (Winter) 6.00pm (Summer)

Thursday: Holy Communion 9.15am

The peace of God be with you !

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