Heritage Open Days – Hunter’s Grave in Ecclesfield

Saturday 27 September 2025 5:15 pm

The Heritage Open Days 2025 programme included three open days at St Mary’s Church in Ecclesfield, with masses of information laid out in the church, visits up into the tower to see (and hear) the bells and bunting around some of the graves, including Joseph Hunter’s. Joseph’s friend Rev Dr Alfred Gatty, with his wife Margaret Scott Gatty and daughter Juliana Horatia Ewing – both authors of childrens’ books, and his father-in-law Rev Alexander Scott, chaplain to Horatio Nelson, are all buried behind the church.

Inside the church, which dates back to around 1500 on earlier foundations, are two Saxon crosses with a double cross base, many memorials and charming carved pew ends and misericords.

If you missed the opportunity to visit this beautiful church – mother church of a huge moorland parish – it is usually open on Friday mornings when refreshments are served as well. See stmarysecclesfield.org.uk