Churches

St Mary the Virgin, Kirkby Lonsdale

The earliest church in Kirkby Lonsdale was probably Saxon, but the present building dates from 12th Century Norman through many re-building phases ending in a major restoration carried out in 1866.
There are some fine features for the visitor to see, from the beautiful wrought-iron gateways while inside are many stained-glass windows, along with carved oak furniture and pulpit. The font formerly stood in a 14th Century chapel at Killington, near Sedbergh.
Location: Approached from either Market Street or Fairbank, the churchyard leads to Ruskin's View, overlooking the River Lune - a view made famous by the painter, Turner.

St Bartholomew's, Barbon

The present building, a good example of work by Paley and Austin, was consecrated in 1893 on the site of much earlier churches. A chapel on this site was rebuilt in 1600 and stood for more than 200 years. Barbon became a separate parish in the late 19th Century, under its first Vicar, the Rev James Harrison.
The font cover, lectern, organ-case, chancel screen and processional cross were all made in the village by local craftsmen. When a local dignitary, Lady Shuttleworth, presented the church with the stained glass window at the west end, she was asked whether there should be a similar window at the east end. She replied: "The view from this window cannot be improved by man and should stand as a frame to the glory of creation."
Location: Across the road from the Barbon Inn, St Bartholomew's is on the left as you leave Barbon on the Dent road.

Holy Trinity, Casterton

Built in 1833, the church owes its existence to the founder of the well-known independent girls' boarding school in the village, the Rev William Carus-Wilson. From 1888 until 1976, Casterton was a separate parish with its own vicar, who also served as chaplain to the school. The church possesses a number of oil paintings on canvas, fixed to the walls, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Those in the nave are by James Clark, R.A., and those in the chancel by Henry Holiday of Hampstead, who also designed and produced the stained glass windows in the chancel and the west lancets.
Location: In the village centre, close to the prestigious girls' boarding school.

St John's, Hutton Roof

The most decorated non-combatant in the First World War, the Rev Theodore Bayley Hardy, VC, DSO, MC, was vicar of Hutton Roof from 1913 to 1918.
It is thought there might have been a church at Hutton Roof as early as the 13th Century. The present church, beautifully constructed out of local sandstone, was designed by Paley and Austin in 1881. The church is situated below some striking limestone-pavement outcrops, known as Hutton Roof Crags.
The view from the top of these crags is one of the most beautiful in the area. On a clear day, the visitor can see Morecambe Bay to the west, the Lake District further north, and the Pennines to the east.

All Saints, Lupton

The little church serving the community at Lupton was originally built in 1867 as a Chapel of Ease. Built in local stone, the church consists of a simple nave, chancel, vestry and porch. The stained glass window in the east end was installed in 1925. The four painted friezes in the Apse were originally painted on the stone walls, and the present ones are faithful copies of the originals by Iram Clements.
The symbols all have religious significance and visitors' comments are welcome. The roll of honour of those who fought in the two World Wars is surprisingly long for such a small community, and is some indication of the rural depopulation of the area.

St Peter's, Mansergh

An original chapel was removed when the church of St Peter was built in 1880 to a design by Paley and Austin. The unusual tower at the west end has a saddleback roof which is topped by a handsome weather cock. The entrance to the church is through a rustic wooden porch, built o mark the coronation of King Edward VII. Inside, clear glass windows and the semicircular plastered roof, with its braced arches, gives a feeling of space and light.
The lane leading up to the church is well known locally for its variety of wild flowers and butterflies, seen at their best in the late Spring or early Summer.

Holy Ghost, Middleton

A lovely little church surrounded by farmland, it was once used by gypsies on their way to the Appleby Horse Fair. The first church building on the present site was built in 1634. The present church was built in 1879 from new foundations.
Among the typical Victorian stained glass windows in the nave is a scene depicting a blind man being healed, but the observant visitor will notice that the blind man has two right feet. Although surrounded by some considerable controversy, visitors should also see the 'Roman Mile Post' in the field next to he churchyard, on the south side.
Location: Seemingly isolated, the church nestles in farmland on the left hand side of the A683 beyond Casterton and Barbon.

St Patrick's, Preston Patrick

A house of Premonstretaersian Canons was founded at Preston Patrick by Thomas de Workington in 1190. The word "Preston," meaning "Priest Town," probably dates from these Canons.
1485-1509 There is evidence that a new chapel was erected on the present site between 1485 and 1509, and George Fox (Quaker) is known to have addressed a meeting in church on the Christian Gospel in 1652.
Existing records of baptisms, marriages and burials started in 1703, and the 'new' church was consecrated in 1853 under the name of 'St Patrick.' A chancel, a gift of Miss Keightley, was added in 1892. Its East window illustrates the 'Te Deum' showing that the church in heaven joins in worship with the church on earth. The windows were made by Shrigley and Hunt of Lancaster, and the choir stalls, lectern and pulpit are made of carved oak.
The altar rails were a work of love offered by the village blacksmith, Mr T Wright of Endmoor, and they gained a prize at Kendal Arts & Crafts Exhibition.
The pulpit is a special gift in memory of William Wakefield, and the organ, which is a gift of the parishioners and friends, was made by Wilkinson of Kendal.