The Select Vestry of Churchwardens
Ripon Cathedral Parish

The Churchwardens of Ripon are first recorded in the troubled decades following the Reformation when they were repeatedly enjoined to enforce regular attendance at worship and compliance with the Government’s religious ordinances.

Although with the re-establishment of the Chapter in 1604 they ceased to have responsibility for the fabric of the Minster, they played a prominent part in the life of the town for more than two centuries. They made presentiments to the ecclesiastical courts and to the Justices of the Liberty of Ripon, but more onerous and important was their role in the administration of the Poor Law.

Originally the wardens were chosen by the Vestry, the assembly of all inhabitants paying the Poor Rate, but by the 19th century with the system under great strain, Ripon, like many other towns, changed to a closed (Select) Vestry of appointed members with tenure at will.

In the fiercely contested “Reform” election of 1832 the Wardens adjudicated on dubious claims to the franchise. Ironically the great administrative changes in the Church and State enacted in the next few years divested them of most of their powers: only the seating of the Cathedral congregation, the collection of offerings and ceremonial duties remained.

The Wardens’ status as a select vestry was confirmed “as of good custom” by the Chancellor of the Diocese in 1889, and they continued as the only representatives of the congregation until the creation of the Parochial Church Councils after the First World War.

Originally there were seven Wardens assigned specifically to the four wards into which the Borough was divided. Crossgate (Market area) had three Wardens, Allhallowgate and Westgate two and Skellgate one. Bondgate was a separate township which like the outlying villages in the huge ancient parish of Ripon, had a single Warden of its own. Bondgate was incorporated with Ripon in the 19th Century and the Warden joined the Cathedral body.

The initials and numbers on the Wardens’ Staves of Office indicate former territorial designations. The passage of time and successive re-paintings have resulted in some minor inaccuracies but five of the eight Staves are considered to be original or ancient.