I think that at least some of the vicars of this ancient parish should be mentioned in this narrative although there is a complete list of them in the church brought up to date and amended by the Rev T. Boyard Webster in the 1960s and beautifully illustrated by Brian Walker a well-known calligrapher and artist. Prior to the appointment of a vicar, Felkirk had been in charge of first a priest and in 1120AD, a rector in this form of a corporate body – the Priors of Nostell. Ecclesiastic legislation in 1215AD meant that a rector could appoint a parson to take charge of a parish vicariously with a definite status.

THOMAS DE HALTON was the first vicar of Felkirk and he was instituted at Upton in March 1251.

RICHARD DE TYKEHILL was instituted in May 1309 and died when still the vicar. He was a former chaplain.

JOHN LYMAN was instituted in October 1416. He made a will in 1421 directing that he should be buried in the church of St Oswald Nostell. He died in that year.

GEORGE GOLDSMYTH was instituted in October 1517 and was the last vicar appointed under the patronage of Nostell. He died in 1548 and held Kippax in plurality.

THOMAS WILSON first vicar appointed under patronage of the Archbishop of York following the death of Goldsmyth in August 1548. He resigned in 1549.

MICHAEL LAMBE deserves to be mentioned in the short list as he was appointed in 1633 aged 28 years and served the parish faithfully for 53 years until his death in 1686. On the report on findings at Felkirk in 1660 by the Archbishops inspector I quote “He is a preaching minister who performs the cure and serenely the said profit.” The profit being tithes and offerings of £38 per annum. The entry in the parish register of burials merely states “He was vicar 53 years”.

THOMAS ADAMS became vicar in 1702 when the Glebe House, near the church, was exchanged for a newer vicarage in South Hiendley due to it having fallen into a state of disrepair. He was still vicar in 1719.

JOHN BARNES GRAHAM was instituted in 1837 and died in 1860 whilst still vicar. In 1832 he became master of Holgate grammar school in Hemsworth but appears to have rejected his duties as master over a number of years. In 1844 he was at last persuaded to attend the school but would not live in the schoolhouse.

PERCIVAL HEDLEY was the last vicar to be appointed by the patronage of York and was instituted in 1922 but resigned in 1926 accepting the living of Coatham. He was still living in 1966.

HAROLD ROBERT HARVEY CONEY was instituted in 1928 and resigned the living to become Canon missioner of the Diocese of Wakefield in 1937. I include his name, as he was the very first vicar of Felkirk that I really new as a boy. He sometimes preached at evensong at Brierley St Paul’s. In 1925 Felkirk came under the patronage of the Bishop of Wakefield and remains so at present.