Weight: 1456 lbs Diameter: 41" Bell 1 of 2
Founded by York foundry
Dove Bell ID: 56243 Tower ID: 21369 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Kirkby Thore: St Michael
Diocese of Carlisle
Church, 607017
https://www.achurchnearyou.comOverview
Grid reference: NY 638 259
A Norman plan and survival with clearly defined 13th, 14th and 19th century additions. Period architectural features include a Norman tower, re-set Norman chancel arch, a 13th century aisle arcade, a 13th century bell and 14th century windows. The interior treasures include early architectural features and a significant collection of 17th century artefacts. The whole inside and outside of this significant church, is completed by a fine clock inserted into the tower in 1897 in celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, chancel, west tower, north aisle, south porch and north vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave and chancel together approximately 30m x 7m (98ft x 23ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 233 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
There has been a church on this site since Norman times and the structure today dates predominantly from this period together with later work in the 14th century when the north aisle was added. Some additional work was carried out in the 17th century under the direction of the Revd Thomas Machell including the provision of some of the furnishings which remain today. Machell was praised by Bishop Nicholson in 1703 for keeping the church in the best repair of any in the Diocese. Machell was described as ‘The father of all Westmorland and Cumberland antiquaries’ and was a good friend of Dugdale. He was responsible for preserving the parish records from such an early date.
There is considerable archaeological interest in Kirkby Thore itself, which contains the site of the Roman fort Bravoniacum and the start of an important Roman road up to Hadrian's wall which passes close by the Church on its north side. In setting foundations for the new buttress during the recent restoration work, two grave pits were opened close against the south wall of the Church - probably medieval - one containing a large empty stone cist, the other a number of disturbed human skeletons, which were subsequently reburied in the churchyard.
Exterior Description
St Michael’s church and its red sandstone walls manages to be both warm and welcoming as you approach from the south; a comfortable looking building with no sense of pretension. The tower is Norman in origin, of three simple stages and solid and squat in appearance. The uppermost stage is a crenellated parapet (pinnacles now lost) which was added in the 16th century, on the east face a small gabled bellcote was added in the next century with two openings. The Wharton arms is apparently on the south face of the parapet but this must be now much weathered. Below the parapet on all sides there are small louvred openings of two lights which date to the 14th century. Apart from the south elevation the openings each have cusped heads whereas the north has a rectangular head. Further below the louvred openings on the north and west faces are two smaller rectangular light openings for the stairwell. The south face has a large black and gold clockface.
The lowest stage of the west face has a small 14th century two-light window under a pointed arch with cusped lights and a quatrefoil above. The window sits above a blocked doorway which is narrower than it and appears to be a relatively recent infilling. The south elevation has two 14th century buttresses; a diagonal at the west corner and a single large angle buttress hard against the junction with the nave. Both have several graduated weatherings. On the south wall of the tower there are two masons markings.
The nave and chancel are under one continuous roof although the chancel eaves are slightly higher on the south side, marking the change. The porch is of the 14th century and is comparatively large in size with a wide pitched roof. There are no windows and the main entrance is a simple pointed arch now furnished with an iron gate and a lantern hanging overhead. A weathered stub at the top of the gable indicates a previous cross finial. To the south of the entrance leans a large weathered tombstone no longer legible although Bellasis records that this was to the Reverend Jonathan Sewel, incumbent of Temple Sowerby and Soulby Chapels who died in 1803 and also to other members of his family.
On the south wall of the nave, now squashed between the porch and the tower buttress is a small lancet window of the 13th century. To the north of the porch the nave has two similar late 14th century square headed two-light windows with cusped lights and hoodmoulds over. There are other leaning tombstones along the south wall and chancel which are all illegible.
The north elevation of the nave is quite different with a long catslide roof to the aisle which is entirely 14th century save for modern alterations to some of the windows. There were four openings along the west wall, the westernmost (a single light) is blocked and the next two are modern copies of those seen in the south wall, that is - two cusped lights with a square hoodmould over. The easternmost is similar in style but perhaps the remaining original together with that in the east wall which is the same window again but set higher in the wall. The west wall of the aisle mimics the east end but here with a modern opening.
The chancel has seen perhaps the most changes here at Kirkby Thore and now bears the very visible scars of changes in style. The south elevation shows the chancel is a fraction narrower than the nave and a small weathering tops the juncture where the nave wall shortens and leans against the chancel. Immediately to the north there is a wide blocked doorway with a square head; a small coat of arms is set into the infill. The only remaining window in the south wall is a wide two-light Decorated window with cusped lights and a large trefoil above. The arch is pointed with a slight hood mould but the whole is set into the remains of a Norman arch, breaking through it at the top. A buttress with three weatherings and a gablet top divides the remainder of the chancel which has a further two blocked windows: a 14th century square head with the hoodmould still distinct and just to the west of this the partial remains of a single lancet, perhaps 13th century.
A deep groove running along the north and south sides of the chancel one course below the eaves indicates an earlier wall plate.
The north side of the chancel has a small modern vestry with a lean-to roof and a small chimney at the eastern corner; there is a pair of lancet windows in the north and a doorway to the west. The north wall of the chancel has a 14th century window in much the same style as those seen in the aisle albeit somewhat smaller. Between this and the vestry there is a small blocked priest’s door with a pointed arch and the remains of the hoodmould.
The east wall of the chancel has seen at least three windows in its time. The existing opening is a pointed arch with hoodmould over a three-light with three quatrefoils in the tracery all in the Decorated style. Heelis reports that this window was put in in 1850 and replaced an identical ancient one. Around and below the existing can be seen the faint remains of a three light 13th century window which would have likely been a simple lancet design.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
12th century
Chancel
12th century
Tower (component)
12th century west
Aisle
14th century north
Porch
12th century south
Vestry
12th century north
Building Materials
Sandstone
12th century red, walls
Slate
12th century Westmoreland, roof tiles
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, the church is decorated in pale colours with a green carpet and ceiling which comprises a four bay hammer-beam roof to both the nave and chancel. There is dark stained wainscoting around most of the interior.
The nave and aisle are pewed throughout with pine pews which were introduced in 1850. Between the aisle and nave there is a late 13th century two bay arcade with pointed arches of two chamfered orders and carved headstops. The single pier is quatrefoil on plan with fillets running down each shaft and has moulded capitals and base. The responds have in effect one shaft each similar to a quarter of the central pier. At the eastern end of the arcade there is a small section of wall which has a small pointed arch cut through giving an opening between the nave and aisle. The aisle has the organ at the west end and an open area at the east with benches around the walls.
The tower arch is low and pointed with two chamfered orders and carved headstops, set within this are Norman imposts and plain responds. The north west corner of the tower is divided for the stairwell; against the west wall there is the remnants of a Roman tombstone and underneath the window there is a recess where there once was a door.
The chancel arch is a steeper and taller arch than the tower and belongs to one of the more recent Victorian restorations again with headstops. The same are found after the moulds on both the vestry door and the east window. There is a well preserved piscina on the south wall of the chancel. There are various shields set against the chancel wall.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
17th century Jacobean oak table given by Thomas Machell in 1688.
Reredos
19th century Curtain suspended between two posts with fleur-de-lys motif on each side.
Pulpit
17th century Fine oak pulpit dated 1631 with three stages of carved panels, the lowest stage plain, the middle with arches and the highest with interlocking designs. Between the panels at the highest stage are figures and faces. This was given by Thomas Machell in 1688 and suggests that he collected existing pieces rather than commissioning them from new.
Lectern
20th century Simple book rest 1947. At the rear of the church earlier doublesided book rest perhaps Victorian in date.
Font (component)
17th century Octagonal bowl and stem in red sandstone given in 1688 by Thomas Machell. The front bearing the Machell arms of three hunting dogs one above the other. The font cover is modern and bears the inscription Thomas Machell faithful priest and teacher 1677 – 1698 of Kirkby Thore Milburn and Temple Sowerby. Great Antiquary.
Stained Glass (window)
19th century East window: three lights (l-r) St Michael, Crucifixion, St Gabriel. By Powell of Blackfriars 1891. In memory of James Nicholson of Blencairn Hall. Born Dec 8th 1773. Died May 9th 1827. Also of Margaret his wife. Born June 10th 1779. Died Sep 16th 1858. Also of their four sons John, Thomas, Richard and James all interred in this churchyard. This window was dedicated as a token of affection by their daughter Mary Nicholson AD 1891. South nave: two lights (l-r) St Cuthbert. St Paulinus. By Powell of Blackfriars 1893. Placed by parishioners and friends. To the Glory of God and in memory of the Revd John Heelis MA of Queens College Oxford. 13 years Rector of this parish who departed this life March 16 1893 aged 66 years. South chancel: medieval fragments in the tracery.
Plaque (component)
18th - 20th century Small brasses on south chancel wall. In loving memory of Revd A J G Curwen BD Died Feb 25th 1915 aged 66 years. For 22 years Rector of this Parish. Here lies the body of Carleton Atkinson MA. 39 years Rector of this Parish who died Feb 27th 1769 aged 75. On the north side of the chancel a brass plaque with a long inscription to John Dalston of Acornbank who died in 1692. Heelis suggests this was composed by Machell. The following transcription was recorded by Edward Bellasis in 1888 who in Westmorland Church Notes recorded all of the monumental transcriptions, church plaques and windows, and other parish church memorials in the County of Westmorland. Details are taken from www.northofthesands.org.uk which has transcribed and digitised the information. Incidentally Bellasis records several other plaques / monuments which have not survived.
Organ (component)
20th century 2 manual by Hills & Son London rebuilt in 1957 by Wilkinsons of Kendal.
Rail
17th century Given by Machell. Dark oak with twisted balusters. The inscription a matter of great interest to Heelis who debates whether the rails were originally facing the opposite direction and the inscription disrupted by the relocation. COLLEGII REG : OXON : SOCIUS. AN : R : CAROLI II XXXV : / ERG : MA : A SAC : ET / ECCLAESIAE DE KIRKBYTHORE D. D : THO MACHELL ALL RECTOR. Machell’s Royalist tendencies (he was chaplain to Charles II) are shown here by citing the 35th year of Charles II, which equates to 1684.
Triptych (religious)
20th century World War I and II wooden triptych with list of those who died. Next to the font on the north wall of the nave at the west end.
Bells
Diameter: 12" Bell 2 of 2
Dove Bell ID: 56244 Tower ID: 21369 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Baptism registers from 1593. Marriage registers from 1593. Banns registers from 1754-1930. Burial registers from 1594-1912. Bishops transcripts from 1674-1879. All are held at Kendal Record Office of Cumbria Archives Service.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NY 638 259
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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