Church of Saint Stephen at Tockholes

A modern church on the site of several older churches. Historically dating back as far as the medieval period but local tradition states the first chapel was built here in the 7th Century. The stone archway that remains today is probably from a 19th Century building.

The church grounds also house St. Stephen’s School, which was built in 1834 on local subscription, supported by a grant of £150 from The National Society, London. The small, stone biulding has a curious outer pulpit accessed from a door, part-way up the wall.

There are many interesting stones and features around the churchyard, perhaps the best-known is the mysterious and ancient Toches Stone from which the area is said to take its name. Often said to come from the Old English pesonal name Tocca and hol meaning a hollow or valley. However, Birtill, the 20th Century local author suggests a tradition that the stone was the touch stone, and was touched by locals - presumably as part of a ritual or for luck. Interestingly, old Vulgar Latin *toccare meant “to knock, strike” as a bell, which leads to the Old English tace or tōc.

The Toches Stone monument we see today is a composite of a relatively modern, inscribed, stone block. On top is what appears to be the socketed base of a medieval stone cross together with a section of cross-shaft in situ. Beside this, in a small hollow in the cross base, is the Toches Stone. A small, rounded fragment of rock that has been said to be the broken arm of a ‘saxon’ style cross. However, these arms of Saxon crosses are usually in an angular, block form and not rounded. Another theory is that the Toches stone is the worn head of a stone figure; although it must be very worn, for no facial features remain.

Created: 4  December  2021  Edited: 29  November  2023