|
Welcome to the Rainbow Parish.
The Parish comprises churches in the main settlements in the
middle Lune Valley and on the edge of the M6 – Kirkby Lonsdale,
Barbon, Casterton, and Preston Patrick – along with the more
spread-out communities of Hutton Roof, Lupton, Mansergh, and Middleton.
The total population is around 4,000.
If you are visiting the area you will be made welcome at any
of our local services. Our larger churches each have services
every Sunday. There is 10.30am Holy Communion each Thursday in
Kirkby Lonsdale. Click on Services and Events for further general
information, or ring one of our churchwardens (see Contacts) for
times of services at particular churches on particular days.
If you wish to visit our churches to see the buildings, understand
their history or because your family has historic connections
here, again you will be very welcome. St Mary’s Church is
12th Century and Grade 1 listed. The other churches are 19th Century,
several being on ancient sites, each with its own particular character.
In each you will find peace and calm
As a parish we deliberately seek to be inclusive of all who need
us. We do not differentiate in the care and concern we offer.
As far as we are able, we seek to serve, not to impose in any
way. Please contact any member of the clergy if you need their
help - see the Contacts page.
A little history
The Christian presence in the area is ancient, as indicated in
the name of the small town of Kirkby Lonsdale. A Saxon church
once stood above a ford crossing the River Lune. In Norman times,
St Mary’s Abbey in York built a stone church here and later
a crucial medieval bridge. Many Norman features survive in the
church as does much beautiful stained glass and Victorian decorative
ironwork. The Normans also built a motte and bailey castle, of
which the motte survives.
Agriculture developed early in the Lune Valley providing important
supplies over the centuries to the Romans, the Normans and to
the growing city of Lancaster. Farming expanded into the rolling
hills leaving just the open tops of the fells to complete the
current attractive landscape.
In Victorian times the area became popular for large country
houses. Generous donations from their owners greatly helped in
the re-building of our churches in the valley and in the hills
around Kirkby. Several were designed by the Lancaster architectural
firm of Paley and Austin who were famous for their church designs.
For information on the various churches click on Churches. For
a photographic record of the churches within their environment
click on Gallery. For more information on the history of the area
and general tourist information see the Kirkby Lonsdale website
- see the Links page.
The Rainbow Parish was a very early Team Ministry ( formed in
1976). From the start, the team concept included a particular
care for the local schools – now two Church of England Primary
Schools, together with state and independent schools. The ‘Rainbow’
was conceived to represent the seven original churches each with
one colour of the rainbow, and highlight the synergy of their
combination. Preston Patrick joined the Team Ministry in 2004.
We now have a unique eight colour Rainbow!
The Rainbow Parish looks forward to welcoming you.
|
