Wensley Church, Private Pew

Holy Trinity Church on Low Lane in the village of Wensley, North Yorkshire, is a rather impressive gem. Although sadly redundant, either on account of depopulation or pervasive godlessness, it ironically means that the building is more likely to be left open than some of its busier, former colleagues. Like all churches, it has been much meddled with, but not so much that its medieval aura is not impalpable. It is airy and light, and one can observe the interior while imagining the various people who once led this establishment: medieval Catholics, reformers, Puritans, Georgian parsons and confident Victorians.

Curiously, the Scrope family, the traditional local landlords, warrant their own pew. It is rather more commodious than the general seating area, and enjoyed the benefits of thick curtains, smoother benches and a more elevated view of altar and pulpit. I saw no evidence of a fireplace (I have elsewhere) but those damask draperies would have shielded gentle napes from the inevitable draughts.

Medieval Catholicism was a parody of real Christianity, so we need not criticise its hierarchical and divisive practices here. Yet favouring one over another, especially on the basis of wealth, continues to be a challenge for the Christian. James anticipated in his epistle the modern, mega-churches with their love of big cars and shiny suits, which are little different to the Scropes and their lousy, private pew.

James 2:2-6, Wycliffe's Bible:

My brethren, do not ye have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of glory, in acception of persons. For if a man that hath a golden ring, and in a fair clothing, cometh in your company, and a poor man entereth in a foul clothing, Forsooth if there shall enter into your covent, or gathering together, a man having a gold ring, in white, or fair, cloth, forsooth and a poor man shall enter in foul habit, or cloth, and if ye behold into him that is clothed with clear clothing, and if ye say to him, Sit thou here well; but to the poor man ye say, Stand thou there, either sit under the stool of my feet; whether ye deem not with yourselves, and be made doomsmen of wicked thoughts? Hear ye, my most dear-worthy brethren, whether God chose not poor men in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, that God promised to men that love him? But ye have despised the poor man. Whether rich men oppress not you by power, and they draw you to dooms?