St Mary's Church, Richmond

One of the remarkable features of St Mary’s Church at Richmond in North Yorkshire, is its tall tower. Standing at eighty feet, its height is exaggerated by the hill upon which is stands, which makes it the more imposing. It was built by Ralph, Earl of Westmorland, in 1399, a member of that ubiquitous Neville clan. Within, one is struck by the lofty proportions, the high arches, the faraway ceilings.

Another feature is the alms box. Bound by secure iron bands, it was erected at the time of the blessed King Edward VI, the evangelical boy-king, in 1547, ‘for the safekeeping of the people’s benevolence towards the relief of their poor neighbours’. When the state did little to assist the impoverished, the state ensured that private persons did it instead.

Yet here, in this grand and haughty edifice, enlarged by earls and noblemen, one is reminded of those at the bottom, who depend upon others’ charity. In the raising of our heads and our looking up to heaven, may we not forget and neglect those whom providence has made poor and needy. He who ignores them actually ignores the One who made them.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given. Proverbs 19:17