St Peters, Little Weighton & Rowley

Rowley is a hamlet, with the civil parish consisting of the nearby village of Little Weighton and the hamlets of Bentley, High Hunsley, Risby, Rowley and Riplingham. Little Weighton in the heart of the parish nestles in a valley of the Yorkshire Wolds and the parish has a population of 1,015.

St Peter’s Church stands in parkland about a mile from Little Weighton village in a picturesque location close to the Georgian Rowley Manor Hotel. There has been a church at Rowley for almost 1,000 years. The Domesday Survey states, ‘There is a church and priest here’. The majority of the current building was built in the 13th century and has been very well maintained with the whole building being reroofed with traditional slate in recent years.

Worship takes place weekly on Sunday mornings, attracting a mixed congregation of villagers, wedding couples, and vistors. Its quality is enhanced by the traditional choir and experienced organist/choir master. There is a monthly Bible Study group. ‘Knit and Knatter’ and a coffee morning meet weekly.

The primary school is at the heart of the church’s life with the children having regular services and being taught about weddings and marriage in Church, in addition to regular lessons and assemblies taken by the clergy in school.

For more detailed history about St Peter’s, please see the recent booklet ‘A history of St. Peter’s Church, Rowley’, available at the church and visit Little Weighton’s website at www.littleweighton.org.uk regarding the beautiful village.