"Death Becomes Us"

St Marys, South Dalton, Yorkshire



South Dalton is a small village in Esat Yorkshire with a huge parish church. It was built at a cost of £25,000 in the mid 19th century and is testament to the money that was in abundance in the area around that time, especially when compared with a church of similar dimensions built in London at a similar time at a cost of £8000. The high cost was party due to the material used and the intricate carvings in stone and wood which graces the whole building.

The church is built to a very high standard and contains some very interesting features. My favourite when I visited recently was in the Hotham Chapel to the south of the chancel. Here is a large monument to Sir John Hotham, who died in 1689. It consists of a recumbant knight in armour on a marble slab which issupported by four almost life sized figures depicting the cardinal virtues at each corner.
Truth holds a mirror, fortitude carries a broken column, temperance holds a water pitcher and justice holding a sword. Beneath this lies a marble skeleton complete with cavernous chest cavity and very detailed skull lying of a finely carved bed. Note the broken right foot.

The full monument is below.






The church is usually open for visiting and cant be missed with its 208 foot high spire being visible from many miles around.