St Michael’s Church at Cold Kirby: Historic Yorkshire church recently designated as Grade II listed building to be given new lease of life after closure through £122,760 grant

A historic church in Cold Kirby that was recently designated as a Grade II listed building by Historic England will now be given a new future through a National Lottery Heritage Fund of £122,760.

The Church of Saint Michael at Cold Kirby has been closed since 2024 due to parish reorganisation within the Diocese of York.

Saint Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail Society (SAPT) has been working to transform the church into Saint Michael’s Lodge; a low-cost hostel for pilgrims, walkers, riders and visitors to the North York Moors.

The SAPT is a 41-mile circular route suitable for walkers, cyclists and horse riders of all abilities that first launched in 2024 and has since made an appearance on The One Show.

It links nine churches of Upper Ryedale and Helmsley with Rievaulx Abbey and the new project aims to give visitors a chance to take a break and stay overnight before resuming their trip.

Following its designation as a Grade II-listed building last year by Historic England, it has received a £122,760 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

This week it was announced that the SAPT will collaborate with The National Lottery Heritage Fund to give the historic Church of Saint Michael at Cold Kirby a new future.

The project aims to explore the transformation of the closed church into Saint Michael’s Lodge and the grant will ensure the Society can undertake the specialist work needed to explore how Saint Michael’s can be conserved and adapted for its proposed new purpose.

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.

Saint Michael’s 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.

Project lead for Saint Michael’s Lodge, Rev Ian Robinson, 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.”

Director of England - North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Helen Featherstone, 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.”

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.

A vital part of the project will be a full consultation with the residents of Cold Kirby and other interested parties about the Society’s proposals for the future of Saint Michael’s.

The consultation will offer a chance for local people and other stakeholders to understand the upcoming plans, share their views and help shape the proposals as they develop.

The venture will form part of the developing vision for the SAPT. The trail links people with the area’s heritage, landscape, communities and the story of Saint Aelred of Rievaulx.

Saint Michael’s 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.