Nominal: 1137.5 Hz Weight: 560 lbs Diameter: 30.5" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by Lester & Pack 1764
Dove Bell ID: 4696 Tower ID: 13789 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Morland: St Lawrence
Diocese of Carlisle
Church, 607021
https://northwestmorlandchurches.org.uk/Overview
Grid reference: NY 598 225
St Lawrence’s Church is a hugely important building having the only Anglo-Saxon tower in Cumbria. It is a remarkable survival and an outstanding example of its type. The top storey was added in the 17th century, but the rest of the tower, tall and massive, retains its original masonry, bell-openings, small round-headed windows, and a characteristic 11th century doorway, opening into the nave. In the 17th century bell-chamber are three bells, dated 1696, 1727 and 1764, in an ancient oak frame. In the tower is the mechanism of a redundant early 17th century turret clock considered by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers to be very similar to a mechanism held in the British Museum and of great historical importance. Nothing is known of the first building that accompanied the tower, but, beginning with a 12th century nave with a surviving Norman pier, the church gradually expanded in size and complexity, with aisles and transepts of late 12th and early 13th century date, and chancel, giving a typically mediaeval cruciform plan. The chancel was largely rebuilt in the 16th century, but parts of the mediaeval chancel still remain. On its north side is a small chapel, now filled with a fine organ, and there is evidence of a similar chapel once on the south side. There are 18th century refined Georgian windows. All of the windows with the exception of the East window are of clear glass making the body of the church very light and spacious. Although of several periods, the interior is remarkably harmonious. It was restored at the end of the 19th century with great sensitivity, and the ‘Arts and Crafts’ woodwork of the pews and choir stalls is one of the notable features of the church. Other woodwork of historic interest are parts of two mediaeval carved screens, now in the chancel, a 17th century communion rail, a 17th century poor box, a 17th century font cover (above a stone font dated1662), and an early 18th century pulpit, panelled and with a sounding board. The 17th century panelling against the west wall was probably re-used from the box-pews formerly in the nave and chancel. There are two fine 18th century wall monuments in the chancel, and an 18th century hatchment.The screen to the All Hallows Chapel in the south transept was erected in the 1990's. The list of period features ,fittings and careful improvements is almost endless.Thus it is a tangible record of over 1,000 years of church developments in the region. St Lawrence’s Church is a Grade I listed building. It is one of the ecclesiastical buildings listed as ‘especially worthy of preservation’ in the inventory of the Historical Monuments of Westmorland, prepared and published by the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England in 1936. It is one of the great ecclesiastical treasures of Cumbria not because of any special treatment from a single period or lordly whim but because of its continuity of representative, quality development The church is on rising ground in the centre of the village of Morland, surrounded by its ancient burial ground. It has a strong tradition of church music, and is at the centre of the annual Chorister’s Camp for some 100+ youngsters held in Morland for over 40 years. As witness to the Christian faith from at least the 11th century to the present day, St Lawrence’s Church has a unique position in the ecclesiastical history of Cumbria.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 484 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Within circular enclosure of Celtic site
Exterior Description
2xII, 1xII*-Gate piers and walls, sundial, altar tomb. Although it is not listed there is a WW1 Memorial in the churchyard - a sandstone cross on a stepped plinth.
Interior
Bells
Nominal: 1223.5 Hz Bell 2 of 3
Founded by William Seller 1687
Dove Bell ID: 31932 Tower ID: 13789 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1183 Hz Bell 3 of 3
Founded by (unidentified) 1726
Dove Bell ID: 31933 Tower ID: 13789 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: NY 598 225
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
The churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
The date of the burial closure order is 32646 (For churchyard- new burial ground across the lane open)
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.
| Name | Status | Number found in this site |
|---|---|---|
| Common yew | Notabletree | 2 |
| Field maple | Veterantree | 1 |
| Cedar of Lebanon | Notabletree | 1 |
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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