Nominal: 876.5 Hz Weight: 896 lbs Bell 1 of 3
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1815
Dove Bell ID: 1918 Tower ID: 10521 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Crosby Ravensworth: St Lawrence
Diocese of Carlisle
Church, 607013
https://northwestmorlandchurches.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: NY 621 148
An inspirational church built on a grand scale that dominates its village setting. It contains various layers of history that combine to create a rich mix of styles. Started in C12, although probably on the site of an earlier church, the first elements are at the crossing with clustered piers supporting chamfered arches. There is a ruggedness about the capitals that adds a feeling of spontaneity and a primitive charm. The nave includes C13 Early English columns with some attractive details. The south doorway is also Early English. The imposing west tower was built in the late C15, possibly re-using stone reclaimed from the Norman transepts that were demolished about the same time. The lower two stages of tower designed in Perpendicular style survive, a new top stage being added in the early C19, apparently inspired by the appearance of Magdalene College, Oxford. The Chantry chapel, now the choir vestry that accommodates the altar tomb of Lancelot Threlkeld who built the tower, was constructed in the same manner and includes wall arcading and Minton tiles. The north chapel, built on the outline of the original transept, is Decorated. Robert Smirke added the massive south porch and the priest's door, described by Pevsner as "fancy-Gothic". Manchester architect, J S Crowther, designed major restoration works between 1850&1880 that included replacing the top stages to the tower, new transepts, chancel and clerestory windows. The church has a C17 font and High Gothic pulpit. Contributions by members of the local community enrich the character and sense of place of the church. This includes the sanctuary rails made by the local blacksmith, the late C19 reredos by a local wood carving class and panels by village boys.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisled nave and chancel. West tower, south porch, transepts, north chancel chapel and north vestry.
Dimensions:
Taken from the RCHM. Nave 47 ½ ft x 18 ¼ ft. Chancel 39ft x 18ft. Crossing 18ft by 16 ½ ft.
Footprint of Church buildings: 685 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The church as it stands is essentially a Victorian edifice; such was the extent of the reworking in the 19th century. However the earliest parts of the church are the vast central pillars of the crossing which date to c.1200 and indicate an earlier building of considerable scale with a tower over the crossing. Later in the 13th century the aisles were added, of which the arcades remain and in the next century a chapel to the north of the chancel.
How long the central tower lasted is not clear but in the 15th century the west tower was erected. Of the next three centuries the only visible change to the structure is on the north side of the chancel where the arch was altered to accommodate the large monument.
An inscription under the tower records a rebuilding in 1811 at the instigation of William Dent, which Canon Clarke & Pevsner attribute to the architect Robert Smirke. Clarke suggests the aisles were rebuilt and the top of the tower removed but what is visible today is the south porch and the priest’s door, both elaborate and ‘fancy-gothic’. The church guide notes George Gibson was the benefactor and that the church was in some disrepair, with a large sycamore tree growing out of the side of one of the tower walls.
However, the vast majority of what appears today, particularly externally, is the work of J S Crowther (1832-1893), a Manchester architect, at the behest of incumbent Canon Weston. Pevsner reports that Crowther worked at St Lawrence from the 1850s but other sources suggest from the 1860s, Clarke dates it more precisely to 1867-86. In any case the work was well executed. Both aisles were rebuilt although the arcades, as mentioned above, were untouched. The nave received a clearstorey and a higher pitch to the roof. Clarke reports that Crowther also raised the tower and added the spirelet, built the transepts, rebuilt the chancel and added the vestry. All in all a thorough, complete and certainly competent restoration of the building.
Very little has changed in the last century except for the very recent enclosing and provision of facilities within the chapel to the north of the chancel (Threkeld Chapel). An accessible toilet has been neatly constructed here against the north wall together with a small kitchenette.
Undoubtedly a church and site of high archaeological significance. The HER/ SMR should be consulted prior to any future consideration of the site.
Exterior Description
Although grand in scale, this church feels in proportion. The west tower is of three stages marked by string courses; the upper 19th-century and the lower two 15th-century. On the lowest stage there is a three-light pointed window in the western face with vertical tracery. There are angle buttresses to the first two stages with several offsets. The upper stage is crenellated with seven projecting gargoyles set in a band with floriate detailing just below the parapet. On each face of the upper stage there is a two-light cusped louvred opening under a pointed arch, all with carved head stops. On the eastern face a clock face is squeezed to the south side of the louvres.
At the north-east corner of the tower there is a small spirelet built into the upper stage. Octagonal in plan there is considerable attention to detail. The floriate banding of the main tower joins seamlessly around the spirelet where there are small scaled down animal heads. Before the spire begins there is a miniature parapet and more carved animal heads. The spire is surmounted with a cross finial.
The nave is steeply pitched, reaching to the top of the second stage of the tower. The chancel maintains the pitch on a slightly lower level and each is demarcated with finials.
Just beneath the eaves of the nave there is a clearstorey of six roundels, each with a quatrefoil. The aisle roofs are mono-pitched and lean against the nave just below the clearstorey. On the south elevation the aisle has three two-light windows and on the north, four; all are either geometrical or intersecting in style. The bays are divided by buttresses with a single deep offset and a small cusped gablet detail. At the west end of the south aisle there is a single lancet window and on the north aisle in the same position a two-light geometrical window.
The main entrance is through a porch at the west end of the south aisle. This was part of the work carried out in 1811 and stands out with its decorative detailing including the inscription D.O.M. and Isa XXXV 1 & 2. The pitch of the roof is mostly hidden by the elaborate south-facing gable which has a bold pediment. On either side of the pediment, extending upwards from each buttress, are big gabled finials set on the angle. The whole piece is linked together with an intersecting band of miniature arcading and decorated with quatrefoils and roundels. As the porch meets the aisle there is a slight dormer set into the roof, presumably to allow height for the internal door. This door is a superb feature of the 13th century with pointed arch, three moulded orders and dog tooth decoration.
The transepts are positioned on either side of what was once the central crossing tower. At the point where the roof of the transepts meet the nave, there are two small dormer openings, with two-light windows under pointed arches, allowing light down into the crossing.
The south transept has five single lancets, two on the south and east faces and a single one to the west. The lancets have a linking dogtooth hoodmould and are divided by chamfered buttresses with single offsets. On the south face there is rose window at the top of the gable with cusped segments. The north transept differs slightly from the south by having a single lancet to the east and west elevations and three closely set together on the north face. There is a similar rose window with plainer segments.
The south elevation of the chancel has three bays. In the western bay there is a three-light window under a pointed arch with cusped lights and a sexfoiled roundel overhead. The eastern bay has similar two-light window with a quatrefoil roundel. In the central bay is an elaborate chancel entrance. Here a grand porch has been created in ‘fancy-Gothic’ style. It is rectangular in plan with two square buttresses standing forward around a single door under a deeply set roundheaded arch. Each of the buttresses has a small crocketted gablet surmounting it. At the top of the porch there is a decorative type of crenellation and a banded arcade below and, on either side of the door, two motifs (bread and wine?). Inscribed along the crenellation is the text Ecce Sponsus Venit. A two-light window is visible behind the porch.
The east window of the chancel is geometrical in style, with four equal cusped lights, two quatrefoils and a large octofoil.
The north side of the chancel has a chapel and vestry leaning against it; the former is to the west and of medieval construction, the latter a modern addition. The vestry has a pair of thin small lancets in its east wall and single lancets at either end of its north face. Between the lancets on the north elevation there is a pair of prominent octagonal chimneys with capped tops and a shouldered doorway.
The chapel has a slightly higher roof than the vestry; there is a small doorway and a two-light cusped window under a pointed arch.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century aisled
Chancel
19th century
Tower (component)
19th century west
Porch
19th century south
Transept
19th century
Chapel (component)
19th century north side of chancel
Vestry
19th century north side
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century walls
Slate
19th century roofs Westmoreland
Interior
Interior Description
Internally the nave and crossing are lofty and spacious. The arcading in the nave is simple and elegant: three bays of pointed arches, each of two chamfered orders on quatrefoil piers, with moulded bases and capitals. The southern capitals have nail head decoration.
The westernmost respond of the north arcade against the crossing pier is 12th or 13th century in date and has a square chamfered abacus which is comparable with the responds of the crossing but much lower in height. The eastern arch of the north aisle is of the same date, and has the same responds as described above. The arch is pointed and of three chamfered orders. Pevsner suggests these responds were repositioned here by Crowther from the eastern arch of the crossing.
The south aisle has a much narrower and therefore more acutely pointed arch to the transept. Also 13th-century in date, this arch has two chamfered orders and responds each with a round shaft, moulded base and capital.
In the north transept the space is occupied by the organ positioned centrally with space to walk all around. There is a pointed arch leading to the north chapel which is filled with panelling and a doorway.
The south transept is the Dent memorial and has lavish arcading around the three walls on two levels; family plaques are positioned all around. Between the transept and the crossing there is a good quality oak screen.
The opening to the tower is a tall pointed arch with one continuous chamfered order. Above the arch on the west wall there are clear scars of a much lower roof line.
The arches to the crossing are all late 12th-century in date except for the eastern which is Crowther’s work and set further back. The older arches are pointed and each of three chamfered orders. The responds each have three attached shafts (two round and the centre keeled) with plain capitals and square chamfered abaci.
Above the western arch of the crossing there is a small arcade under a pointed arch with three stepped lancet openings. Above the north and south arches of the crossing there are two small two-light openings set within double pointed arches.
The eastern arch of the crossing (chancel arch) is pointed and of two chamfered orders. Immediately to the north in the chancel is the wide segmental (could also be described as Tudor) arch which dates to the early 16th century. Now filled and plastered to create a separate room to the chapel, this arch is perhaps the most incongruous element in the building. There is a small alcove, through a pointed arch to the north of the chancel, which leads down, past the once external 14th-century east window of the chapel, to the eastern entrance of the chapel. There is an internal enclosure over the steps down into the boiler room east of the chapel.
To the south of the chancel there is a segmental arch to the external door which has a two-light window overhead; east of the door there is a stepped sedilia. The sanctuary has both a cusped aumbry and piscina. The head stops to the windows here are apparently depicting the Queen, the Bishop and other local individuals.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Large oak table with carved decoration and some dog-tooth detailing.
Clock
Clock with cast iron plate and spacer frame made by JohnBlaylock from Carlisle
Reredos
19th century Large oak carving of the Last Supper. 1897 by Mrs Webster’s carving class. Good quality.
Font (component)
17th / 19th century There are two fonts. One is a small column and bowl of 1818 painted red with icanthus leaf design. Has Greek palindrome around the circumference. Wash not my face only but also my sins. The other is octagonal stone bowl and stem of 1662 (carved date). White painted wood tester which was perhaps designed for the other?
Pulpit
19th century 1850 in memory of John Sakeld. Octagonal stone positioned against crossing pillar. Blind arcading of cusped arches with dogtooth decoration and foliate carving in the spandrels. Slender decorative columns of polished granite or marble.
Stained Glass (window)
19th century Large collection of 19th century stained glass windows.
Lectern
20th century Wooden desk c1970s.
Plaque (component)
19th / 20th century In the south transept there are many plaques to members of the Dent family around the wall at the same height. One or two differ and are more elaborate in style. The latest plaque was in 1988 so a tradition has been followed. On the south wall there is a brass plaque to John Dent who died in 1892 and there is a bust of him over this.
Tomb (component)
16th century Large tomb monument in north chapel with considerable marble slab. RCHM describes it as an altar-tomb with roll moulded angles, fluted and reeded sides, chamfered base and heavy marble slab, three blank shields on each of the long sides. RCHM suggested that this is the tomb of Sir Lawrence Threkeld which would date it to 1512. Pevsner disagrees and puts it later in the 1550s.
Organ (component)
19th century Presented by George Gibson in 1850, possibly built for his own personal use. Hand bellows still working but replaced with electric pump in 1950s.
Pew (component)
19th century In the nave; plain oak benches. Pews to the west end of the south aisle; older possibly from Swindale Chapel.
Screen
19th century • Screen across east end of north aisle, fairly crude design. Unknown date. • Oak screen to the south transept from the crossing with traceried arcade. Late 19th-century.
Bells
Nominal: 1114 Hz Bell 2 of 3
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1823
Dove Bell ID: 17632 Tower ID: 10521 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 991.5 Hz Bell 3 of 3
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1823
Dove Bell ID: 17633 Tower ID: 10521 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Baptism registers from 1568. Marriage registers from 1569. Banns registers from 1754-1947. Burial registers from 1568-1876. Bishops transcripts from 1665-1874. All are held at Kendal Record Office of Cumbria Archives Service except those in current use.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NY 621 148
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/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
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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