A NEW altar has been installed within the dramatic ruins of Rievaulx Abbey.

The newly created stonework was unveiled on Thursday (June 4) at the historic religious location in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, in a ceremony overseen by religious leaders of all faiths.

The project was initiated and funded by a member of All Saints’ Church in Helmsley, Chris Bryant, who has now passed away.

The Revd Tim Robinson, vicar of All Saints’ Helmsley, said, “A member of our congregation, Chris Bryant, now sadly deceased, came up with the idea and much of the funding to raise what is probably the Misa or foundation stone which stands in the place of the high altar of Rievaulx Abbey.

“The abbey was a hugely important centre of Christian life and ministry, but since the dissolution of the monasteries there hasn’t been an altar here for over 475 years.

“We are very grateful to English Heritage for building the new altar, and putting the heart of Christian worship back in the abbey.”

At the ceremony at 7pm on Thursday, the high altar was dedicated by the leading Christian figures. The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu and the Bishop of Whitby, the Rt Revd Paul Ferguson, the Bishop of Whitby were joined at the abbey by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Middlesbrough, the Rt Rev Terence Patrick Drainey and the chair of the Methodist district of York and Hull, the Rev Stephen Burgess. Also in attendance was the prior of Ampleforth Abbey, Fr Terence Richardson.