Selby Abbey was originally a Benedictine monastery and stands at the head of Gowthorpe. The Abbey was started way back in the 12th Century and was ruled by 34 Abbots. Over time it became extremely wealthy and many English Kings visited the town. In 1256 the Abbey was conferred with the grant of the mitre  and became known as a 'Mitred Abbey'. Towards the start of the fourteenth century the new choir was built but shortly after completion was destroyed in the great fire of 1340 which destroyed most of the church. Fortunately funds were found and the church was restored. During the fifteenth Century much building work was carried out, the large windows in the North trancept were built, changes to the arch between the north aisle of the Nave and Transept were carried out and the Aumbries near the High Alter were added. During the Disillusionment of the monasteries in 1536 ordered by Henry V111 the abbey fell and was left bankrupt but fortunately was left standing. It wasn't until 1618 during the reign of James 1 that the abbey church became the Parish church. Unfortunately due to a lack of funds the church fell into disrepair and in 1690 the Central Tower fell in destroying the South Trancept. During the Eighteenth Century the church was still being used for services but decay caused continuous problems to the structure and fabric of the building. It wasn't until the middle of the nineteenth century that restoration work started in earnest, sadly in 1906 the church was hit with another significant fire. It was partially due to the Reverend Maurice Parkin and his assistants that after significant fund raising the church was completely restored. Three years later in 1912 the South Transept was rebuilt and the church was consecrated on September 26th 1912. Continuous fund raising continues today to protect this fine building.

The Abbey needs more than one visit and hopefully later this week I will be able to go back and have another look around this beautiful building.