St David's Church

The first church was built in Airmyn in 1311 - however, this was built by the villagers without gaining permission from the mother church of Snaith.  As a result, the parishioners were banned from conducting services of divine worship in the church 'on pain of ecclesiastical exclusion' by Archbishop Greenfield, the Archbishop of York.

Prior to building their church, the people of Airmyn had to travel to Snaith and back, mostly on foot, in order to attend a church service.  In view of the often water-logged route, this would have been a treacherous journey.  The alternative would have been to travel along the River Aire when conditions were suitable.  As a result, the people of Airmyn were fearful that they would be unable to gain access to heaven if they were unable to confess their sins to a priest shortly before their death.  Eventually, in 1318, Archbishop Melton of York asked Simon de Scardeburgh, the Abbot of Selby, to dedicate the Chapel of Airmyn, so that the Chaplain could serve the parishioners, thus avoiding their need to so frequently travel to the Church at Snaith.  It seems that baptisms may have been held in Airmyn, although the villagers would still need to travel to Snaith for marriages and burials.

This first church is described as having a thatched roof, at least two bells and seating that was 'not uniform'.

By 1676, the church was in a state of great disrepair and it was at this point that the village was supplied with a new church - or, at least, the nave of the present-day church.  It is probable that Anthony Smithson, Lord of the Manor of Airmyn, instigated the building of the new church.  His arms may be seen at the west end of the church, with the date 1676 incised into them.

One mystery remains ... The church at Airmyn is dedicated to St David of Wales.  Airmyn church is the only church in the Diocese of Sheffield or the Diocese of York to be dedicated to St David.

So, why would a church in the East Riding of Yorkshire be dedicated to a Saint more traditionally linked to Wales?  

We have a theory, which can be found here.

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