Byrness : The Church of St Francis

The present church was built by voluntary subscription at the end of the 18th century, with the rector Lewis Dutens contributing £1200. Hodgson gives a date of 1793 for its construction (Hodgson 1827, 153), but 1796 is inscribed above the doorway, presumably indicating when the building was completed.

It was initially established as a chapel of ease within Elsdon Parish and did not become the centre of a parish in its own right until 1884. Hodgson also notes that the curate was bound to teach up to 12 poor scholars free of charge in the chapel if required (1827, 86, 153).