Ulverston: Holy trinty
Overview
Grid reference: SD 284 781
The nave, tower and spire are by Anthony Salvin of London (1799-1881). Salvin is more generally known as a restorer and designer of large castles than as a church architect. Of the churches normally credited to him, this appears to be the earliest and although it uses the lancet style which he favoured, it has little of the archaeological accuracy of his later works. The church was designed in 1829 and finished in 1832. The chancel was added by E.G. Paley (1823-95) of the Lancaster firm of Paley and Austin. This was done in 1880 as part of a refurbishing exercise which also entailed the removal of the side galleries and the provision of a new font, parclose screens, and pews throughout.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
North-west tower and spire, aisled nave of five bays, shallow chancel with a small vestry on the north side.
Dimensions:
The nave is 73 feet long, 56 feet wide and 54 feet 6 inches high. The spire attains a height of 129 feet.
Description of Archaeology and History
The nave, tower and spire are by Anthony Salvin of London (1799-1881). Salvin is more generally known as a restorer and designer of large castles than as a church architect. Of the churches normally credited to him, this appears to be the earliest and although it uses the lancet style which he favoured, it has little of the archaeological accuracy of his later works. The church was designed in 1829 and finished in 1832.
The chancel was added by E.G. Paley (1823-95) of the Lancaster firm of Paley and Austin. This was done in 1880 as part of a refurbishing exercise which also entailed the removal of the side galleries and the provision of a new font, parclose screens, and pews throughout.
Exterior Description
The lancet style is employed throughout, with triple lancets at the east and west ends and single wide lancets in each bay of the aisle walls separated by strips of masonry too slender to be called buttresses. The pitch of the aisle roofs is such that not enough room is left for windows at clerestory level, a fault externally as well as internally. The fact that the windows have no carved details at all makes the scholarly Early English west doorway something of a surprise. The moulded arches are carried on two orders of nook-shafts.
The north-west tower is of three unequal stages. The lowest houses a stair to the gallery lit by a lancet light in the west. The north wall is blind at this level. Above a stringcourse is the clock face on the north, set within a square frame placed lozenge-wise with fleur- de-lys finials at the corners. The west face has a small lancet at this stage. The top stage has paired louvred belfry openings on all four sides, and is the most carefully detailed (perhaps because the most prominent) part of the building. In place of a parapet is a row of seven cusped arches above which immediately rises the short stone spire. The change from square to octagon is slightly clumsily masked by obelisk-like pinnacles which stand over the terminations of the buttreses.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1870
The east window is of three lancet lights. Upon a background of grisaille are roundels and octofoils enclosing small scenes. In the centre light, reading from the bottom, are scenes from the Life of Christ: the The Nativity, The Baptism, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection, The Ascension and Christ in Glory. The left light shows the Acts of Charity: towards the sick, the stranger, the needy and the hungry; the right light has four scenes from the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
The glass is by Wailes of Newcastle upon Tyne, 1870, and was moved and from the east wall of the church to the east wall of the new chancel in 1880.
Stained Glass
1883
The west window, also of three lights, depicts the Te Deum, with Christ in the centre light (Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ) surrounded by Cherubim and Seraphim. In the outer lights are the Glorious Company of the Apostles, the Goodly Fellowship of the Prophets, Noble Army of Martyrs and the Holy Church Throughout all the World.
The window is by Powell Brothers of Leeds.
Stained Glass
c.1910
The side windows of the chancel form a pair. They show St. John on the north and St. Andrew on the south.
Stained Glass
c.1880
The east window of the south aisle has two scenes, The Maries at the Sepulchre and The Visitation, with a shield of arms below. By Powell Brothers.
Stained Glass
1880
The eastern window of the south aisle south wall shows St. Paul preaching at Athens and St. John the Baptist preaching the Coming of Christ, By Powell, 1880.
Stained Glass
1883
The Judgement of Solomon and Solomon Building the Temple with symbols of Freemasonry below. By Powell, 1883.
Stained Glass
1912
The Virgin and Child surrounded by child angels. The design is by Burne-Jones, although it was not carried out by the firm of Morris and Co. until 1912, according to Sewter's catalogue bodyof Morris glass. The death conmemorated was in 1887.
Stained Glass
c.1890
St. Peter with, in a small Panel below, the healing of the Lame Man at the gate called Beautiful. By Kempe, c . 1890.
Stained Glass
c.1903
Two windows in the north aisle represent St. Luke and Malachi, with the Presentation in the Temple below and St. Elizabeth and Zacharias with the Nativity below. Both c. 1903, are by Shrigley and Hunt, slightly Kempish in richness.
Interior
Interior Description
In spite of the white walls and ceiling and clear glass in some of the windows, the preponderance of stained glass and the lack of any light from a clerestory make the church quite dark. The width of the building is increased in appearance by the overflow of choirstalls at the east (the chancel containing only the sanctuary) and the projection of the gallery well into the second bay from the west; the gallery is especially capacious since it also extends back over the porch below.
The plainness of the walls and of the architecture in general concentrate the attention upon the stined glass in the windows, of which the refined east window by Wailes is first noticed.
Although the exterior of the chancel is almost indistinguishable from Salvin's work, Paley made more of a mark internally. His chancel arch is much more carefully detailed, with triple attached columns on water-holding bases carrying moulded capitals and an arch which shows more refinement than the arches of the arcades. The east window, which appeared as three lancets outside, is drawn together inside under a single arch which reflects the chancel arch. Within the arch is ashlar masonry, contrasting with the plaster surface of the walls. The lower parts of the walls are also faced with ashlar as high as a dado which forms the sills of the windows. The eastern section is almost entirely obscured by an extravagant marble reredos with figures in high relief set in seven deep arches. The floor is of shiny green tilated and red tiles.
Fixtures and fittings
Clock
1901
The clock is by W. Potts and Sons of Leeds.
Reredos
1881
The reredos is of alabaster with serpentine colonettes, of seven bays under crocketted gablets. The centre shows the Ascension carved in deep relief, the four flanking arches with figures of the Four Evanglists. The outer pair of arches contain figures of angels with scrolls. The reredos was given in 1881 to decorate the new chancel.
Rail
The Communion Rails are of wood with wrought iron supports in the form of spiral curls around square openings.
Pulpit
The pulpit is circular, of coarse sandstone with panels enclosing half quatrefoils placed back to back. The top cornice is of florets and there are polished marble attached colonettes. The support is a large stone drum.
Lectern
1881
A brass lectern, of 1881, of stock Jones and Willis pattern.
Organ (object)
The Organ, originally in the west gallery, was by Bellamy of Manchester. It was rebuilt by Rushworthand Dreaper in 1958 and has two manuals and pedals, twenty- seven speaking stops and electro-pneumatic action.
Font (object)
1881
The Font of polished limestone, is by Paley, 1881. The massive round bowl is carried on clustered columns of red marble.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 284 781
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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