Parish records of Wass

Includes register of services, 1941-1979; Church Committee minute books, 1948-1974; Church Council secretary's correspondence and papers, 1973-1986; churchwardens' records, including fabric papers, 1934, 1937, 1978-1979.

Wass was part of the parish of Coxwold until 1732 when it became part of the new parish of Kilburn. However a change in the parish boundaries resulted in Wass being transferred back to Coxwold parish in 1956.
Until the 1860s parishioners worshipped at St Michael’s Church in Coxwold (until 1732) and then at St Mary’s Church, Kilburn. In 1866 the village schoolroom was consecrated as a chapel of ease to Kilburn and was used as both church and school until 1933, when the school closed. From then on the building was used exclusively as a chapel.
The chapel, which is dedicated to St Thomas, has only one room and no central aisle, stained glass or church tower. It also has no churchyard, with villagers continuing to be buried at their parish church in Coxwold.
Today Wass is a chapelry in the parish of Coxwold and is part of the benefice of Coxwold and Husthwaite, which also includes Carlton Husthwaite.

This arrangement was designed to reflect the principal activities of the parish and its associated organisations, and to aid researchers in identifying the records these activities generate. This arrangement was introduced in 2020. Records are arranged within the following alphabetical series but retain their original archival reference at file/item level:
A: Parish Registers
B: Church Ceremonial
C: Parish Clergy
D: Property - Religious
E: Property - Secular
F: Parish Administration and Officers
G: Parish Social and Evangelical Activities
H: Overseer of the Poor and Parish Charity
J: Schools
K: Promotional and Informational Material

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation, including data protection laws. 24 hours' notice is required to access photographic material.

The archive was deposited at the Borthwick Institute in 2002. A further deposit was made in 2003.

Wass was part of the parish of Coxwold until 1732 when it became part of the new parish of Kilburn. However a change in the parish boundaries resulted in Wass being transferred back to Coxwold parish in 1956.
Until the 1860s parishioners worshipped at St Michael’s Church in Coxwold (until 1732) and then at St Mary’s Church, Kilburn. In 1866 the village schoolroom was consecrated as a chapel of ease to Kilburn and was used as both church and school until 1933, when the school closed. From then on the building was used exclusively as a chapel.
The chapel, which is dedicated to St Thomas, has only one room and no central aisle, stained glass or church tower. It also has no churchyard, with villagers continuing to be buried at their parish church in Coxwold.
Today Wass is a chapelry in the parish of Coxwold and is part of the benefice of Coxwold and Husthwaite, which also includes Carlton Husthwaite.

A typescript finding aid, to file level, is available for consultation in the searchroom of the Borthwick Institute. This includes all material received up to and including 2003.

Created by S. A. Shearn, 21.03.16.
Revised by C. Flockton, 20.01.23.

A reprographics service is available to researchers subject to the access restrictions outlined above. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute for Archives' terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

Further accruals are expected.

The parish records of Coxwold are also deposited at the Borthwick Institute.
Kilburn parish records are deposited at North Yorkshire County Record Office.

Published

GB 193