St Augustine’s in Skirlaugh is a singular construction - the whole building, end to end, built in a single burst at the opening of the 15th Century. The church was commissioned by Walter Skirlaw, Bishop of Durham, who hailed from this part of the world. He has been described as a munificent bishop, commissioning many other structures around the North - bridges, chapter houses and even the central tower of York Minster.
This church, a gift to the place he was brought up, is perhaps the most personal of his construction projects. It is built entirely in the Perpendicular style, without aisles or distinct chancel, with the tower at the western end. At the time of construction, this church would have been on the very cutting edge of taste and design.
From the outside, the church presents a slender, tall aspect, heightened by the spirelets that top off each buttress. The main body of the church is mostly bereft of carving - aside from the spirelets and the shield of Bishop Skirlaw on the dripstones of the arches over the windows. The tower, however, possesses an array of carved faces in a band around the top - pudgy with gentle smiles, these are warm and inviting features looking out onto the churchyard below. The lack of carving doesn’t take away from the outward appearance of the church - stately and delicate, and extremely pleasing to the eye.
The interior is also very simple - as already noted, no aisles, a single level of windows, no chancel arch. However, it remains a beautiful and calming space - the windows let much sunshine flood in, the furnishings are sympathetic and un-intrusive and the current congregations (the church is shared between the Church of England and a Methodist congreation) have done their best to ensure that modern fittings are in keeping with the character of the place. The oak roof is a little awkard, I feel, but not disasterously so. Ultimately, they have managed to preserve the buildings’ greatest asset now it is shorn of the paintings and medieval fixtures - space. It is a place that you can sit and think and be calm; meditate almost. In this, the church is a beautiful creation.
The walls still have traces of paintings and inscriptions from when it was originally built - a stunning combination of red and white, with black lettering, barely visible on the walls. I would be interested to know of any work done on these features. Other than that, and a few small details - two brackets near the altar, the piscina and simple carved capitals to the arch leading into the tower - the interior is plain. But the building does not feel empty and soulless.
I cannot really, beyond the roof, find something to fault in this place. It is tranquil, extremely well tended to and put to excellent use by the two congregations who share it. I would recommend a visit any day.
