The River Derwent has brought many positives attributes to life in Malton and Norton (flooding an exception, course) – and was once used for baptisms. Howard Campion looks back.
ONE aspect of having a nearby river is not, nowadays, appreciated – its use in baptisms.
The short stretch between County Bridge and King’s Mill was the chosen location because of it having a relatively conveniently low banking.
King’s Mills’ days of milling are now over and it is in residential use, having once been an important factor in Malton’s economy and, since 1978, a grade two listed building.
Old Malton’s windmill (also listed) was once its main competitor until the sails were lost during a storm in 1906.
Malton’s Baptist Church in Wells Lane, which closed in 2022, was established in 1823 and there was much enthusiasm for river baptism, six of them having been performed before the building was complete.
They continued using the river until they decided to sink their own well at the chapel.
On reflection this might have been a wise move, given the health risks associated with contaminants present in flowing water.
Later on in the 1800, another sect (Christian Brethrens) took up baptisms at Malton’s river location.
Apparently, it was an event which attracted many onlookers.
More recently, in September 2013, river baptisms took place in the river at Brompton-On-Swale in North Yorkshire.
- Howard Campion is a trustee at the Malton and Norton Heritage Centre
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