Diameter: 29.5" Bell 1 of 2
Dove Bell ID: 59222 Tower ID: 23042 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Rockcliffe: St Mary the Virgin
Overview
Grid reference: NY 358 616
A delightful church designed by James Stewart of Carlisle in 1848 replacing an earlier medieval chapel style building. Built with the financial support of the Mounsey family, the church was clearly designed as an architectural focal point in the landscape where it would have formed part of the picturesque view from Castleton House, the magnificent home of the Mounsey's. St. Mary's is designed as a Gothic Revival church in Decorated style with motifs and patterns such as lancet windows with curvilinear tracery and ball flowers. The church is built in buff coloured borders sandstone, the offset slender broached tower was rebuilt in 1890 following a lightning strike making an elegant landmark - the 1849 clock located halfway up the south face of the tower has an unusual rack striking mechanism. The attractive east and west windows were made by John Scott of Carlisle, the east window being a late C19 replacement, the original being moved to St Mary Magdalene, Gilsland, also designed by Stewart. The transept, that formerly housed the Mounsey pews, is now the RAF chapel with furniture gifted from the nearby RAF 14 MU. The marble and alabaster font and stone pulpit add craft and charm. The churchyard slopes towards the River Eden and is contained by a sandstone wall with wrought iron fencing. It includes a C10/C11 wheel-head cross mounted on a dragon carved shaft together with C12 and C13 grave covers that are located in the church.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 204 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Site of earlier medieval church
Exterior Description
I-C10/C11 Wheel cross in churchyard
Interior
Fixtures and fittings
Clock
19th Century Clock with cast iron plate and spacer frame made by JohnBlaylock from Carlisle in 1849
Historical Notes
1849 - 1849
Period Qualifier: 2
Bells
Bell 2 of 2
1753
Dove Bell ID: 59223 Tower ID: 23042 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: NY 358 616
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.
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
Showing 7 entries of 7 View All
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.