The National Lottery Heritage Fund gives new life to historic Saint Michael’s Church at Cold Kirby

Melanie Burnside
5 hours ago
3 min read

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Saint Michael’s Lodge is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to develop plans to give the historic Church of Saint Michael at Cold Kirby a sustainable new future as affordable accommodation and a place of welcome for pilgrims, walkers, riders and visitors to the North York Moors. — Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. **Saint Michael’s Lodge** is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to develop plans to give the historic Church of Saint Michael at Cold Kirby a sustainable new future as affordable accommodation and a place of welcome for pilgrims, walkers, riders and visitors to the North York Moors.

Plans to transform the closed Church of Saint Michael at Cold Kirby into Saint Michael’s Lodge, a low-cost hostel for pilgrims, walkers, riders and visitors to the North York Moors, have received a £122,760 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Pilgrims gather in the churchyard at Saint Michael’s, Cold Kirby, with the historic church behind them and a dog in the foreground.” — Photo courtesy of © Valerie Mather

The Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail Society has received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for plans to give the historic Church of Saint Michael at Cold Kirby a new future, it was announced this week.

Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims to explore the transformation of the closed church into Saint Michael’s Lodge, a low-cost hostel for pilgrims, walkers, horse riders and visitors to the North York Moors.

“Four cyclists wearing Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail shirts stand together in front of Saint Michael’s Church, Cold Kirby.” — Photo courtesy of © Valerie Mather

The grant will enable the Society to develop its plans and undertake the specialist work needed to explore how Saint Michael’s can be conserved and adapted for its proposed new use. The funding will help the project investigate its conservation, design, access, planning, environmental, business and operational requirements and prepare its proposals for the next stage.

Recently listed Grade II by Historic England, Saint Michael’s is a remarkable historic building in the North York Moors. It stands on both the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail and the Cleveland Way National Trail, and is just over a mile from the North York Moors National Park’s Sutton Bank Centre.

“Saint Michael’s Church, Cold Kirby, viewed across the churchyard, with its stone tower, nave and ancient yew tree.” — Photo Courtesy of Doug Place

Reverend Ian Robinson, Project Lead for Saint Michael’s Lodge, said:

“We are delighted that The National Lottery Heritage Fund has recognised the potential of our vision for Saint Michael’s. Thanks to National Lottery players, this £122,760 award enables us to take the next important steps towards giving this historic church a sustainable future.

“Our hope is to create Saint Michael’s Lodge as a place of welcome and affordable accommodation for pilgrims, walkers, riders and visitors to the North York Moors. It would give this closed church an opportunity to serve people once again, while protecting and celebrating its heritage for future generations.”

Helen Featherstone, Director of England - North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Saint Michael's Church is an important part of the North York Moors' heritage and has the potential to continue serving people in new and meaningful ways. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, this project will help explore how this historic building can be conserved and adapted to create a welcoming place for pilgrims, walkers, riders and visitors, while safeguarding its heritage for future generations.”

Developing the project

The Heritage Fund’s support will enable the Society to undertake the professional work needed to establish how the vision for Saint Michael’s Lodge can be realised.

An important part of the project will be a full consultation with residents of Cold Kirby and other interested parties about the Society’s proposals for the future of Saint Michael’s. The consultation will provide an opportunity for local people and other stakeholders to understand the emerging plans, share their views and help shape the proposals as they develop.

The project aims to explore the conservation and adaptation of the building, access and inclusion, environmental and heritage considerations, and the development of a sustainable model for the Lodge’s future operation.

“A family with a young child and other pilgrims, including a person pushing a buggy, walk past Saint Michael’s Church during the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail pilgrimage.” — Photo courtesy of © Valerie Mather

A place of welcome on the Trail

Saint Michael’s Lodge forms part of the developing vision for the Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail, which connects nine historic churches and Rievaulx Abbey through distinct walking, horse-riding and cycling routes. The Trail links people with the area’s heritage, landscape, communities and the story of Saint Aelred of Rievaulx. The proposed Lodge would add a place of affordable accommodation and welcome within that wider network, while also serving visitors who come to the North York Moors for walking, cycling, horse riding, heritage and recreation.

“Two horses and a rider pause in the churchyard at Saint Michael’s, Cold Kirby, during a Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail event.” — Photo courtesy of © Valerie Mather

The Lodge would therefore have a role extending beyond accommodation: it would help enable people to experience and engage with the landscape and heritage of the North York Moors.