Thank you for visiting the Rivers Partnership website – we hope you can find what you need here, and something which interests and inspires you.

The Rivers Partnership was formed when the Derwent Ings Benefice of 5 churches and the Escrick Group of 3 churches joined together in January 2022. Our worship and our connection with the people of our village communities are at the centre of our priorities and we want to offer a genuine and inclusive welcome to all.  If you would like to talk about a baptism, wedding or funeral – just follow the link. If you would like to talk about anything please just get in touch.

Whatever has brought you to this website, we hope that you will find some enrichment and hope here.

With Every Blessing,
Rev Jackie
Priest in Charge

The Rivers Partnership Churches


St Michael and All Angels, Sutton-upon-Derwent

We have a small but friendly congregation in our ancient and attractive church building, peacefully set at the northern end of the village. We would love to welcome more people to join us as we worship (car parking at the side of the church is easy!). We value our strong links with the village school and other organisations.


Holy Trinity, Elvington

Elvington Holy Trinity church is the parish church of the lovely village of Elvington, near York. As a village church, we work hard to serve Elvington in so many ways.

Elvington Church shares God’s love in our local community by being central in the life of the village, serving the community at all times, good and bad, caring and praying and being a family where everyone can come together. In our worship and personal discipleship we feed on God’s love so we can show his love in our neighbourhood and the wider world. Nurturing our relationship with him, we encourage others to enter that relationship.


St Mary, East Cottingwith

We are a small but friendly congregation and greatly enjoy festival services with violin accompaniment. We are often joined by worshippers from the other churches in our benefice. These are always good times. We would love to welcome more from the village to share our worship. 

 The oldest parts of the Church building are the bells. They were cast in the 14th century and come from the previous Church. There are only seven 14th century bells in the Diocese and we have two!


St Helen, Wheldrake

This warm, bright church dates largely from the late 18th century, but the tower is a survivor of the earlier 14th century building on this site. The church has been lovingly rebuilt, repaired restored by generations of villagers and today stands at the heart of our community.

Gems to see include much medieval masonry and furniture by ‘Mousie’ Thompson of Kilburn.


St Helen, Thorganby

Records of the first church building in Thorganby date back to the 13th century but the earliest part of this building, the chancel arch, has been tentatively date to the mid 14th century.


St Helen, Escrick

This majestic church is the second built on the site, and the third recorded church in Escrick. Today it sits at the heart of the estate and village.


St Helen, Stillingfleet

Home to one of the finest doorways in England – widely reputed to date back to the time of the Vikings! The doorway leads to a beautiful church community and a whole heap of heritage.


St Matthew, Naburn

The parish is part of the benefice of Escrick and Stillingfleet with Naburn and together with the Derwent Ings Benefice form the Rivers Partnership of 8 churches.