Diameter: 11.88" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Warner & Sons 1894
Dove Bell ID: 58153 Tower ID: 22421 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
North Cowton: St Luke
Overview
Grid reference: NZ 284 40
Various places of worship have been associated with the areas of North, South and East Cowton, from the medieval period onwards. Originally constructed as a pastoral centre for the parish in 1968, St Luke’s was consecrated for worship on 21st October 1990, around the time that the parish of The Cowtons was formed.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Future use not yet determined.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Rectangular on plan. The sanctuary is located to the geographical northeast; liturgical directions will be used throughout this report. Nave with two steps up to sanctuary; external steps up to entrance lobby, with vestry to south and kitchen, WC and boiler room to north. Oil store tank to the north immediately before the entrance doors.
Description of Archaeology and History
No archaeological finds are associated with the site. Earthworks in East Cowton are believed to be traces of the medieval town but none are known around the site of St Luke’s. A Knights Templar preceptory was in the area, but is believed to have been located around East Cowton. The current building is reported to have replaced a ‘tin tabernacle’; even if remains of this are to be found, they will be of limited significance. No archaeological finds are connected with the site and the lack of graveyard means archaeological implications are not expected to be high.
At the time of the Domesday Book, three contiguous hamlets existed, which came to be known as North, South and East Cowton. Later, two further settlements, called Altow Cowton and Temple Cowton, were established between the former three. The name of the latter settlement is believed to indicate the presence of a Knights Templar preceptory in the area.
In the medieval period, two churches dedicated to St Mary were erected in the area – at East Cowton and South Cowton. Cowton Castle was also built in the late medieval period, around 1470, by Sir Richard Conyers.
In 1894, a ‘mission room’ was erected on the site of the current St Luke’s in North Cowton. In 1909-10, All Saints was built in East Cowton, rendering the medieval St Mary’s there redundant. St Mary’s subsequently fell into disuse and ruin and was demolished in the 1960s. A stone arch from St Mary’s was incorporated into the new parish centre at North Cowton. No trace remains of St Mary’s above ground, but the graveyard associated with it remains open today.
A pastoral centre, which was later to become St Luke’s, was built in 1968, replacing the mission room. A commemorative wall block by the entrance doors was “laid by Arthur Wade Esq on the 12 July 1968”.
In 1988, St Mary, South Cowton was closed and vested in the Church Conservation Trust (the church is Grade I listed). In 1990, the parish of The Cowtons was formed and the pastoral centre in North Cowton was consecrated as St Luke’s on 21st October, in order to serve as the parish church.
Exterior Description
Concrete rendered walls with plain timber fascias, on painted brick plinth and grassed bank, which sets the church above the street. Double-pitched roof to nave with clerestorey window above line of flat roof over west end, which projects as a canopy supported by metal stanchions over the entrance doors. Tank store to north, added 1988, set forward of main building line but rendered to match. Pyramidal timber bell fleche above the northwest corner, surmounted by flagpole and with single bell hung at bottom.
12 steps lead to the entrance, with square section metal handrails. Entrance is via timber double doors with clear glazed panels and rounded cross-shaped handle.
Square-headed window to south of main entrance, with section of carved stonework from a tomb at the demolished St Mary, East Cowton set into wall below. The stonework shows three shields, but the details are weather-worn. Plain walls to north, east and south, with fire exit door to north wall. Continuous clerestorey windows in obscure glass run length of nave on north and south walls; small picture frame windows to west end of north wall (to WC and kitchen).
Building Fabric and Features
Sanctuary
20th century
Nave
20th century
Vestry
20th century
Kitchen
20th century
Boiler Room
20th century
Building Materials
Concrete
20th century
Render
20th century
Bituminous Felt
20th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
An entrance lobby provides access to a kitchen and WC to the north, through plain timber doors, and a vestry to the south. All are plainly decorated with flat ceilings.
Access into the nave is through plain square-headed double timber doors. The nave and sanctuary are one space, with a simple platform at the east end, up two steps. The walls throughout are largely featureless, painted block work, with exposed timber cruck trusses along the length, supporting a shallow double-pitch roof. The principal feature of the interior is the medieval arched stonework from the demolished St Mary, East Cowton which is set slightly proud of the east wall, forming a backdrop to the altar.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Oak panelled table style with storage for vestments, etc. Dedicated “In memory of Ada Constance Croucher 1913-1998”
Lectern
20th century Simple oak design with cross to font.
Font (component)
20th century Portable timber font with lid with small brass cross handle, by Robert Thompson (aka Mouseman). Small plaque at base reads “Presented by Melba and Mark Marley to commemorate their 40th Wedding Anniversary and the christening of their grand-daughter Rebecca Jayne 7th July 1991”.
Chair
20th century Modern oak chairs.
Rail
20th century Plain oak with square profile posts.
Organ (component)
20th century Modern electric Yahama (a gift from Alan Wilkinson)
Plaque (component)
20th century Plain metal plaques on north and south walls. On north: ‘In memory of Lawrence Lancaster 25th July 1908 – 6th March 1978 churchwarden of this parish’ On south: ‘To the glory of God this church of St Luke was consecrated by the Rt Revd David Young Lord Bishop of Ripon as the parish church of North & South Cowton within the parish of The Cowtons Sunday 21st October 1990’
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: NZ 284 40
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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