St Stephen’s Church, Robin Hood’s Bay

St Stephen’s Church is a Victorian structure in the North Yorkshire village of Robin Hood’s Bay. It is not far from Old St Stephen's Church, Fylingdales of which I have previously passed comment, though it is built in an older, heavier gothic style.

Despite its being a leg of Victorian lamb dressed as medieval mutton, my accompanying cousins were suitably impressed when I dated its baptismal font to the Saxon period, and a church functionary appeared soon afterwards offering confirmation. I appeared wonderfully well informed, though I know how many times I date items incorrectly. ‘New’ St Stephen’s, despite only dating to the 1860s-70s, contained a particularly unusual and impressive item from the very period it wished to resemble. St Stephen’s is not a medieval church, yet there is at least one rare, medieval feature within it.

I have come to realise that there are many denominations and breeds of church which are corrupted, somewhat heretical and heterodox in their beliefs and practice but within these organisations and fellowships, there are some clear aspects of truth. Like a box full of broken glass may still contain real diamonds, and a Victorian church might have some medieval furnishings, so some churches may be correct in some items of doctrine and practice while propagating falsehood elsewhere. Whether this would be enough to persuade me to worship among them, I doubt, for the gospel and Christian fellowship are too precious for compromise. If my church teaches an alternative gospel but is right on the trinity, is it enough? If my religious group is sound on baptism, but denies Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, should I remain there? Is St Stephen’s rendered a medieval building because of that font?

No, I'm afraid not.