Coast to Coast

St Edmund's, Marske, Coast to Coast

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Approaching St Edmunds from Marske Bridge

Approaching St Edmunds from the bridge.

St Edmund's, Marske, Coast to Coast

The full name of St Edmund's Church is Church of St Edmund King and Martyr. The church dates to the 12th century, when it was first founded. Substantial work was made to the church in 1683 and in the 19th century the chancel was rebuilt. Marske is a conservation area. The Historic Environment Records show the Church registered with a Grade II Listing.

St Edmunds church is at the top of the hill at the north end of
Marske. A path leads from it to to the bridge across Marske Beck in the valley below. The River Swale is only a mile to its east, Richmond 5 miles to the east and Marrick 2 miles to the south west.

St Edmunds Church Marske


St Edmunds Church is poised in a prominent position at the top of the village hill, from where it overlooks the Marske Valley. The roof has a large parapet. The bell cote has a peel of 2 bells.

St Edmunds from west Corner


The Old Rectory Marske


The Old Rectory in Marske, adjoining St Edmunds Church, is a Grade II Listed Building. It is seen prominently from the top of the hill from the cul-de-sac at the north of the village, off Cordilleras Lane. This permits an unobstructed view of it over a large grassy field. It was once the parsonage but is now in use as a domicile. The parsonage was erected in 1753 and was once used to board students who who were being prepped by the parson to enter Richmond School, the headmaster of which had been the rector of Marske.

Porch of fhe Old Rectory Marske


The porch is of ashlar stone dating to the mid 19th century. Outside, there is a chamfered Tudor arch with a hoodmould and a Hutton coat of arms above. There is also a stepped crenellated parapet.

Celtic Cross Headstone


St Edmund's graveyard in Marske contains a fine example of an old Celtic Cross headstone. This type of headstone combines the Latin Cross in the front with a circle behind which represents the sun. It is said that St Patrick introduced the Celtic cross to Ireland in order to guide pagans to Christ. There are many fine examples of Celtic Cross headstones in Marske's churchyard of St Edmund, King and Martyr.

Celtic Cross Headstone


Another variety of the Celtic Cross Headstone at St Edmumd's Churchyard in Marsk. The encircling pattern in the centre of the cross is there to remind us of the never-ending love of Christ.

Wheelhead Celtic Cross


This wheelhead cross has intricate carvings all along the cross.

Family Grave at St Edmunds


Many of the gravestones at St Edmunds contain intricate design workmanship, as with this family grave.

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