St Mary's Church, Abbeytown

Last updated

St Mary's Church
Holme Cultram Abbey, Abbeytown (NY1750).jpg
West front of St Mary's Church
Location map United Kingdom Allerdale.svg
Red pog.svg
St Mary's Church
Location in Allerdale, Cumbria
Cumbria UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
St Mary's Church
Location in Cumbria, England
54°50′43″N3°16′58″W / 54.8454°N 3.2829°W / 54.8454; -3.2829
OS grid reference NY 177 508
Location Abbeytown, Cumbria
CountryEngland
Denomination Anglican
Website St Mary, Abbeytown
History
Status Parish Church
Founded1150
Founder(s)
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade I
Designated11 April 1967
Architectural type Church
Style Norman, Gothic
Specifications
Materials Sandstone, slate roofs
Administration
Province York
Diocese Carlisle
Archdeaconry West Cumberland
Deanery Solway
Parish Holme Cultram
Clergy
Rector Revd Canon Bryan Rothwell
Vicar(s) Revd David Tembey

St Mary's Church is in the village of Abbeytown, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Solway, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of six local churches to form the Solway Plain Team Ministry. [1] The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. [2]

Contents

History

The present church has been formed from part of the church of Holmcultram Abbey, a Cistercian monastery that had been founded in 1150 by King David of Scotland and his son Henry. In 1507 the Abbot, Robert Chambers, added a west porch. At the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1538, the local parishioners were worshipping in the nave of the church, and they were allowed to continue to use it. The tower fell on New Year's Day 1600, destroying the choir and the north transept. By this time the endowment was owned by the University of Oxford, who carried out repairs, hampered in 1604 by a fire. [3] During the 18th century, more repairs and alterations were carried out. Between 1727 and 1739, the nave was shortened from nine to six bays, the aisle arcades were filled in, the clerestory was removed, and galleries and a flat ceiling were added. The galleries were removed in 1883. [3] In 1884–85 a vestry was added. [2] In 1913 the church was restored; [2] this included removal of the flat ceiling. [3] An ambulatory was added to the south side of the church in 1973. [2] On 9 June 2006 a fire was started in the church by a thief. [3] This destroyed the wooden roof, and damaged the stonework and the stained glass. A new oak roof was installed in 2008. [3]

Architecture

Exterior

St Mary's is constructed in large blocks of red sandstone from Scotland. The roof is mainly of green slate, with some Welsh grey slate. Its plan consists of a continuous six-bay nave and chancel, a west porch, an ambulatory, and a north vestry and organ chamber. On the west gable is a double bellcote. The west porch is in two storeys with a round-arched doorway, inscribed with the name of Robert Chambers, his coat of arms, and the date 1507. The upper floor has been converted into a vestry, and contains two two-light lancet windows. The side walls of the nave contain round-headed casement windows. The east window, which was relocated in 1730, is Perpendicular in style, dating from about 1630. Inside the porch and ambulatory are graveslabs to members of the Chambers family. [2] The inner doorway of the porch is Norman, with four orders of columns. Another Norman doorway leads from the church into the ambulatory (it originally entered the south aisle). [3]

Interior

Inside the church the blocked arcades have pointed arches carried on clustered piers. [2] Above the west door is a singers' gallery. In the church are two ancient chests, and fragments of carved stones. The stained glass in the east window is by William Wailes. There is more glass by Wailes elsewhere, and windows by Powells, and by E. and C. O'Neill. Parts of the tomb of Richard Chambers, who died in 1518, are in the ambulatory. [3] The two-manual pipe organ, made by Nicholson and Lord, was destroyed in the 2006 fire. [4]

External features

The churchyard wall to the south of the church has been listed at Grade II. It consists of sandstone blocks on a medieval plinth. This is the site of the south aisle wall of the former abbey church, and the plinth incorporates the excavated foundations of the entrance to the abbey's cloister. [5] The abbey site is a scheduled monument. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancaster Priory</span> Church in Lancashire, England

Lancaster Priory, formally the Priory Church of St Mary, is the Church of England parish church of the city of Lancaster, Lancashire, England. It is located near Lancaster Castle and since 1953 has been designated a Grade I listed building. It is in the deanery of Lancaster, the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the Diocese of Blackburn. Its benefice is combined with that of St John and St Anne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Saints Church, Boltongate</span> Church in Cumbria, England

All Saints' Church is in the village of Boltongate, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Solway, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland and the diocese of Carlisle. A former fortified church, it is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Bridget's Church, Brigham</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Bridget's Church is in the village of Brigham, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Solway, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland, and the diocese of Carlisle. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Kentigern's Church, Caldbeck</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Kentigern's Church,, is in the village of Caldbeck, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Carlisle, the archdeaconry of Carlisle and the diocese of Carlisle. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. It is dedicated to Saint Kentigern, whose alternative name is Saint Mungo; hence the church's alternative title of Caldbeck, St Mungo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John the Evangelist's Church, Crosscanonby</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St John the Evangelist's Church is in the village of Crosscanonby, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Solway, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland and the diocese of Carlisle. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Oswald's Church, Dean</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Oswald's Church is in the village of Dean, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Derwent, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland and the diocese of Carlisle. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Peter's Church, Kirkbampton</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St. Peter's Church is in the village of Kirkbampton, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Carlisle, the archdeaconry of Carlisle, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of St Andrew, Aikton, St Mary, Kirkandrews-on-Eden with Beaumont, and St Michael, Burgh by Sands. The church contains Norman architecture and is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Andrew's Church, Buckland</span> Church in Hertfordshire, England

St Andrew's Church is a redundant Anglican church in the village of Buckland, Hertfordshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The church stands at the highest point in the village to the east of Ermine Street, now the A10 road, between Royston and Buntingford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Redgrave</span> Church in Suffolk, England

St Mary's Church is the redundant Church of England parish church of the village of Redgrave, Suffolk, England. It is a Grade I listed building. and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The church is on a rise about 34 mile (1 km) east of the village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Andrew's Church, Redbourne</span> Church in Lincolnshire, England

St Andrew's Church is a redundant Anglican church in the village of Redbourne, Lincolnshire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. The church stands in the centre of the village, which is to the east of the A15 road, and some 4 miles (6 km) south of Brigg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Walton</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Mary's Church is in the village of Walton, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Brampton, the archdeaconry of Carlisle, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of four nearby parishes. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Ulverston</span> Church in Cumbria, England

Ulverston Parish Church is in Church Walk, Ulverston, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Furness, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with that of St John, Osmotherley. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Dalton-in-Furness</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Mary's Church is in the town of Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Furness, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice has been combined with that of St Peter, Ireleth-with-Askam. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. It stands in an elevated position near Dalton Castle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St James the Less, Tatham</span> Church in Lancashire, England

The Church of St James the Less is in the village of Tatham, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Tunstall, the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the diocese of Blackburn. Its benefice is united with those of St Wilfrid, Melling, St John the Baptist, Tunstall, St Peter, Leck, the Good Shepherd, Lowgill, and Holy Trinity, Wray, to form the benefice of East Lonsdale. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II* listed building. It stands above the flood plain of the River Wenning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary's Church, Whicham</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Mary's Church is on the A595 road in Whicham, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Calder, the archdeaconry of West Cumberland, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of St Michael, Bootle, St John the Baptist, Corney, and St Mary, Whitbeck. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Mary and St Michael's Church, Great Urswick</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Mary and St Michael's Church is in the village of Great Urswick, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Furness, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of St Cuthbert, Aldingham, St Matthew, Dendron, and St Michael, Rampside. These churches are part of a group known as the Low Furness Group of Parishes. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Michael and All Angels Church, Hawkshead</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Michael and All Angels Church is in the village of Hawkshead, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Windermere, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of four local parishes to form the Benefice of Hawkshead with Low Wray and Sawrey and Rusland and Satterthwaite. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. Hyde and Pevsner, in the Buildings of England series, describe it as being "one of the best Lake District churches".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Trinity Church, Millom</span> Church in Cumbria, England

Holy Trinity Church is a medieval building situated next to Millom Castle near the town of Millom, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Furness, the archdeaconry of Westmorland and Furness, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with those of St George, St Anne, Thwaites, and St Luke, Haverigg. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Laurence's Church, Morland</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Lawrence's Church is in the village of Morland, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Appleby, the archdeaconry of Carlisle, and the diocese of Carlisle. The parish of Morland includes the historic parish of Thrimby, with its church of St Mary, Little Strickland. The benefice of Morland is united, under the name North Westmorland, with the parishes of Askham and Lowther, Bampton, Bolton, Cliburn, Clifton and Brougham, Crosby Ravensworth, Shap and Great Strickland. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. It has the only Anglo-Saxon tower in Cumbria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Columba's Church, Warcop</span> Church in Cumbria, England

St Columba's Church is in the village of Warcop, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Appleby, the archdeaconry of Carlisle, and the diocese of Carlisle. Its benefice is united with St Theobald, Musgrave. and nine other parishes to form the Heart of Eden benefice. The church is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building. On Saint Peter's Day, 29 June, each year the church hosts a rushbearing ceremony.

References

  1. St Mary, Holme Cultram, Church of England , retrieved 23 June 2012
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Historic England, "Church of St Mary, Holme Abbey (1144608)", National Heritage List for England , retrieved 23 June 2012
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hyde, Matthew; Pevsner, Nikolaus (2010) [1967], Cumbria, The Buildings of England, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, pp. 87–89, ISBN   978-0-300-12663-1
  4. "NPOR [D00863]", National Pipe Organ Register , British Institute of Organ Studies , retrieved 30 June 2020
  5. Historic England, "Churchyard wall south of Church of St Mary, Holme Abbey (1212548)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 23 June 2012
  6. Historic England, "St Mary's Abbey, Holmcultram (1007164)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 23 June 2012