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 The church is dedicated to
St Wilfred (634-709AD). It consists of a nave and chancel, but has neither
tower nor aisles. With the exception of the west wall, the porch and bell cot,
the whole building is of one date.
There is likely to have been a church before the present one; however nothing
remains of this. Walter de Bolbeck, a Norman Knight, appropriated part of the
Church of Herla to his newly founded Abbey of Blanchland in 1165. The
Premonstratensian Canons provided for the ministrations in this church until
the dissolution of their abbey during the reign of Elizabeth I; they wore white
habits.
Most
of the current building dates back to 1336, when a chantry was founded by Sir
William de Herle. He played an important part in State affairs during the
reigns of Edward II and Edward III.
One of the most striking features of this church is the excellent masonry. Every
stone is carefully squared and the joints are of finest character. Many stones
in the chancel show their masons’ marks. Other notable features in the chancel
include windows that are filled with reticulated tracery (ie all the principal
openings in the window head are of the same size and shape), three sedilia, a
piscina as well as a priest’s door and low side windows. There are also several
monuments to the Loraine family.
The
font, which dates from the late 15th or early 16th century, was originally in
All Saints Church, Newcastle. In 1786 when this church was destroyed, the font
was acquired by Alderman Hornby and placed in his garden. Thomas Anderson
brought it with him on his move to Little Harle, with his son placing it into
the church following restoration in 1884. The font has on each of its eight
sides a shield of arms of old Northumbrian families.
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