Introduction
The reader may
think that it is rather unusual to write about a church at Felkirk under the heading
of “Brierley Village.com” when there is still a church in Brierley named
after St Paul. The reason is really straight forward, Brierley church was
built in 1869 when there was some discussion about Brierley becoming a
separate parish and absorbing the six farms in Grimethorpe there being no
other dwellings. However, the idea was not pursued fully and Brierley
became the daughter church of St Peter Felkirk and a priest was appointed
– the Reverend Godfrey Pigott Cordeux.
If there is any part of this narration with
which you disagree please feel free to do so. After all, I am not a professional
historian or writer but the information quoted has been collated over some
20-30 years of living nearby and attending this lovely building. My thanks
also to Geoffrey Sugden, my neighbour, who has contributed so much to this
narrative in just as many years.
Have you ever
looked closely at St Peter’s?
If not, why not
pay it a visit one Thursday morning between 10am and 12.30 you will enjoy
it.
It wasn't until
I was busy typing John's writings, and reading over the work
correcting my mistakes, that I recognised how steeped in history Felkirk
Church is. I must have passed this beautiful building a thousand times on
my travels without giving it a second thought. After finally putting all
Johns work together for the website and reading it over and over again, I
felt I had to go down there with my camera and put photographs to this
wonderful story. There are 29 photographs on the 20 pages on the website,
but believe me there is a lot more to see. I know, I took over 200
photographs altogether. I know one thing for sure, after reading its
history through John's wonderful writings, Felkirk St Peter's has found a
new admirer.
Gary
webmaster April 2007
