Builders are appointed by Selby Abbey, and building work begins on a new stone church
and a small priory for two monks who would not be resident, but would travel daily from
Selby. Secular priests were also appointed.

The Priory was demolished after the Reformation, but there is growing evidence to show where it was located (overhead views from Google Maps are very helpful in this regard!) and this work is ongoing.

The church is completed, consecrated, and dedicated to St Laurence.

St Laurence was a very important saint, his importance in Rome only less than
Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have a great number of
churches with the same dedication, and it is likely St Laurence was also very
popular in this region at that time.

The tower is built.

The tower is a wide squat tower which looks slightly at odds with the rest of the
building. Recent analysis of the ‘Inclesmoor Map’ (a map from medieval times that
was drawn to setle boundary disputes) shows the Priory with a wooden spire. Whilst
this is not definitive, it goes some way to explaining the height of the tower.

Two monks take up permanent residence and become more involved in the church,
including taking confessions and performing baptisms.

Even though there are only two monks, one is named as Prior.

The fabric of the church is improved with some new stalls created and Chantry Chapels
built for the Dawnay and Stapleton families.

The Chantry Chapels would both have had altars prior to the Reformation, almost
certainly against the East wall.

It is likely that the Stapelton Chapel was a ‘Lady’ Chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The Priory is closed on the orders of King Henry VIII.

The monks are made redundant with nowhere to go as Selby Abbey, their mother
church is also closed.

Much of the property of the church is sold, including the Priory Garth, and anything
of value was seized.

The church is directed to destroy any references to the Roman Catholic religion, but decides to keep some things including the chantry chapel for the Stapleton family of
Carlton Towers.

This was contrary to the directions issued by the crown and was a very brave, yet
dangerous decision by the parishioners.

Four bells, plus a small bell for the clock are installed.

This started a tradition of bell-ringing in the Priory which continues to this day.

An inspection reveals the Chantry Chapel of the Stapletons, and the church is directed
to remove it. It has lasted alsmost eighty years after the Reformation. The stained glass in the windows of the chapel is destroyed, removing the last armorial bearings.

The Stapleton family stop coming to Snaith church except for burials. Further renovation of the church takes place in this century.

Six new bells are provided, replacing the four bells installed in 1552.

The bells were cast by Pack and Co. of London. It is likely that the original bells were sold. Many church bells were seized during this time and made into cannons. It is believed that a significant number of church bells were taken into the Low Countries for this purpose – possibly to be used against this country!

A railway line is constructed through the North part of the graveyard, disturbing many
graves and destroying the last remnants of the old priory.

More renovation, including the installation of pews. The large parish was divided into a
number of smaller parishes.

The Parvise and Consistory Court were removed and many changes were made, including the provision of tiled floors (those in the Dawnay Chapel destroying many memorials.

However, without the Victorian renovation, the Priory may not have lasted.

The East Window depicting the Martyrdom of St Laurence was provided, the gift of
Mrs Elizabeth Bowman of Snaith.

The oak Reredos was removed and used to make the screen betwen the chancel and
the Dawnay Chapel. The tiled floor in the Sanctuary was replaced by Cumberland stone.

Electric Lighting was provided at this time.

The General Strike of 1926 left many good men temporarilly without employment and,
with free time on their hands, they gave it willingly to help at their church, often
re-pointing walls with concrete mortar.

They had no way of knowing how damaging this would be over time to the limestone
walls, and how a good deed, done with the very best intentions, would lead to the
greatest risk to the Priory in its 900-year history.

Two additional bells installed, bringing the total up to eight.

Regular bell ringing is re-introduced after a gap of 35 years.

‘Pave the Priory’ fundraising campaign results in the removal of side pews and the laying
of paving stones to create extra space for church and community events.

Celebrations take place to mark the 900th anniversary of the church.

Installation of a kitchen, toilets and storage facilities.

This was the first major project funded by the Friends of Snaith Priory, founded in 2005
to support fabric restoration in the Priory.

A major scheme to reorder the chancel is undertaken.

Choir stalls are removed, redundant heating pipes taken away, and the whole of
the chancel floor is paved in York stone providing a large open space that can be
used for multiple purposes.

The Quinquennial Inspection in 2015 revealed significant work required on the roof and stonework of the Priory with an expected total cost of repair in the order of £750,000.

Funded by a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Trust, work began in March 2019
to complete the roof repairs, and all stonework above gutter level.

Significant heritage work was also undertaken to preserve the history of the Priory.