Churches across the Harrogate district are opening so people can pay tribute to the Queen and sign books of condolence. We report on what each parish has planned to allow people to mourn, reflect and celebrate her life.
Ripon
Ripon Cathedral will be the main focal point for the mourning of the Queen in the Harrogate district.
A book of condolence for the Queen opened at 10am this morning.
The cathedral will be open throughout the day for people to sign the book of condolences and pray.
There will be a special Evensong service at 5.30pm and a vigil service at 8.30pm. A specific place has also been designated outside the cathedral where people can lay flowers.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, said on the cathedral’s website:
“We are very sorry to hear of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
“She was one of the world’s greatest figures of our time, one who dedicated her life as monarch to the wellbeing of the people of this nation, the Commonwealth and the wider world.”
Saturday 10th September
Hourly prayers taking place on the hour
8.30am – Morning Prayer
12 noon – Holy Communion
5.30pm – Special Choral Evensong with prayers to mark the Proclamation of the King
Cathedral open until 9pm
Sunday 11th September
8am – Holy Communion
9.30am – Morning Prayer
10.30am – Eucharist with the Bishop of Ripon. The service will include prayers for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III
3.30pm – Choral Evensong to mark the death of the sovereign Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Cathedral open until 7pm
A book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate
Harrogate
In Harrogate, a book of condolences has been opened at St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Street in the town centre.
St John’s Church on Bilton Lane is open between 9am and 5pm today for “people to be quiet, reflect and pray as they remember and give thanks for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Knaresborough
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Pateley Bridge
A book of condolences has been open at St Cuthbert’s Church in Pateley Bridge.
Vicar Darryl Hall invited people to “feel free to light a candle and say a prayer.”
Prayer stations in Holy Trinity Dacre Banks, St Jude’s Hartwith, Christ Church Darley and St Saviour’s Thornthwaite and been set up where people can light a candle reflect, remember and pray.
Sunday Services:
9:30am Holy Communion at Holy Trinity, Dacre Banks
11am Holy Communion at St Saviour’s, Thornthwaite
6:30pm Holy Communion at Christ Church, Darley
Boroughbridge
Roecliffe Church will hold a short prayer service at 7.30pm Friday tonight.
St James’s in Borougbridge will hold prayers for the Queen and the new King on Monday morning at 9.30am.
Both churches, as well as St Mary’s in Dunsforth and St Andrew’s in Aldborough, will remain open as much as possible during the week for people to visit and to sign books of condolence.
A parish-wide service of commemoration and thanksgiving for the Queen will be held at St Andrew’s on Sunday, September 18 at 10am.
Masham
St Mary’s Church in Masham is open between 10am and 6pm today for people to light candles and say prayers.
A book of condolences will be opened on Saturday.
Elsewhere in the district
Nidd Church will be open for an hour today from 12pm.
A book of condolences has also been opened at the church in Hampsthwaite.
Craig Marshall, the rector of North Rigton, Weeton and Kirby Overblow, said:
“May Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth rest in peace and rise in glory.
“Our prayers are with King Charles and the royal family.”
He said books of condolences would be opened in each church alongside an image of the Queen.
The churches opened at 9am there will be prayers at 12 noon today in St Barnabas, Weeton and 7pm tonight in All Saints’ Kirkby Overblow.