Nominal: 730 Hz Weight: 1603 lbs Diameter: 43" Bell 1 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 195 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Arlecdon: St Michael
Diocese of Carlisle
Church, 607269
https://crosslacon.netOverview
Grid reference: NY 52 198
The church was founded in the C12th and restored in 1776. A pointed chancel arch of c.1630 incorporates a fragment of original C12 arch. The church was remodelled and nave rebuilt in 1829. Then in 1903-5 regional architect J H Martindale was commissioned to construct a west tower, baptistery and vestry at the west end and to reface and refit the church. St Michael's stands on the site of an ancient church, our earliest records are during the reign of King Henry III (1216 ââ¬â72). In 1241 it was given to Calder Abbey by the then Lord of the Manor, Sir John Le Fleming. The site has a long history of ecclesiastical buildings with records from the reign of Henry III. This building is of 1829 but was drastically reconstructed in 1903- 1905. The massive tower dates from this last phase and is a dominant feature. The church was not open.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
W tower with polygonal baptistery to S and vestry and WC to N (with former boiler house beneath), linked to aisleless nave with S porch, chancel with N organ chamber (former vestry).
Footprint of Church buildings: 215 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Arlecdon is supposed to be the site of a deserted medieval settlement (Monument no. 8784). It is thought an C11 church may have existed on the site, though it is generally recited that the earliest record for a church was during the reign of King Henry III (1216-1272), and the site may well have been nearby. Archaeological records identify a medieval quarry and blocks of post medieval ridge and furrow visible as earthworks to the S, around Arlecdon.
The origins of a much earlier church on the site give rise to significant archaeological potential. The churchyard is also heavily buried with gravestones dating to the C18 and an ancient C13 slab set within the wall, S of the chancel arch. The chancel arch also contains fragments of older fabric. There is a blocked S chancel door. A memorial plaque suggests the presence of burials beneath the floor of the church.
The main occupation in Arlecdon was farming until the C19 when coal and iron ore mining and limestone and freestone quarrying took place and the railway arrived.
Arlecdon was a rectory until 1241 when it was given, with St John’s Beckermet, to Calder Abbey and in 1262 was transferred to the Archdeaconry of Richmond. Fragments of C12 fabric in evidence. Repairs were undertaken in 1630, to which date the pointed chancel arch is attributed. The church was restored in 1776 (ceiled, seated, repaired and ornamented) and the nave rebuilt in 1829. The church was refaced and refitted, and the W tower, vestry and baptistery added in 1903-5. A C17 S chancel door seems to have been blocked during these works. A date stone in the base of the tower records this work and its execution in memory of Isaac and Elizabeth Fletcher by their daughter Elizabeth Higgins. A service to dedicate the tower and restoration was held in 1905. The architect was J H Martindale of Carlisle (1855-1931), the builder Joseph Green of Pardshaw Lee-Gate, Cockermouth and the oak woodwork was by George Black of Carlisle.
There are no known designations relating to the ecology of the plot though it contains mature trees.
Exterior Description
The stone church sits below the level of the road. The stone walls have a plinth and a continuous hoodmould encircles the building above the lancet windows. Other than at the E and W ends (3 and 5 lights respectively), the lancets are all of single lights. The elevations are completed by a crenellated parapet. The gables have stone copings and a stone cross is placed above the E apex.
The 3-stage W tower has a castellated parapet and pyramidal roof and weather vane. It displays perpendicular detailing, and a broad 5-light perpendicular traceried W window. Above are paired louvred belfry openings. A square turret rises in the NE corner and stepped buttresses clasp the angles. A baptistery projects to the S from the base and a gabled vestry to the N has paired lancets in the N wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century aisleless
Tower (component)
20th century west
Chancel
17th century
Building Materials
Sandstone
12th onwards
Sherwood Sandstone
Slate
12th onwards
Slate
Ashlar
19th century with rough-dressed snecked rubble
Slate
19th century roofs
Painted Plaster
19th century interior
Interior
Interior Description
A S porch enters through a square-headed door into an area forming a link between the base of the tower and the nave lit by an electrified Puginesque iron chandelier. Above the door is a 3-light window with decorative leading (Macintosh-esque) and clear glass, repeated in style on the N side. The floor at this level is tiled in decorative encaustic tiles in a geometric pattern. A pointed arch opens E into the nave which is down 3 steps, and another pointed arch opens to the W, beneath the tower.
The W window is of clear glass. To the S of the tower base is the octagonal baptistery, raised by 2 steps, with a marble floor. A wood board set within a carved niche in the N wall records the incumbents since 1715. To the N of the linkage area is a carved gallery with pierced quatrefoils and carved paterae, beneath it is access to the vestry and WC, and before it is a door to the spiral stone tower stair. The doors and ironwork are all of high quality and in an Arts and Crafts style. The whole western section, a narthex-type area, is a fine space in its own right designed in an Edwardian free-style Gothic manner.
The 3-bay nave is 3 steps lower than the entranceway and is separated by a low stone wall with metal uprights. The roof is an ornate oak structure with traceried panelled sections with trusses resting on carved stone corbels. The nave has a tiled aisle and fixed oak pews on level woodblock pew floors either side. Each lancet window contains stained glass (see below). Oak panelling rises to sill height around the nave, and ornate wood fretwork screens old heating systems beneath each window. A continued floriated frieze (Morris-esque) extends around the upper area of the walls, whilst a simpler stencil is above the panelling. Additional light from spot-lights.
A chamfered pointed stone chancel arch contains a fragment of Norman arch to the S side as well as a carved Norman head. In the wall above it on the nave side are paintings of St Michael and St Kentigern painted in 1930, and set in the wall to the S is a fragment of an ancient floriated cross-slab. A marble step rises into the chancel and the floor continues to be paved in marble though it is obscured by carpet laid along the centre. Choir stalls are located either side. An organ is positioned to the north extending into the former vestry, whilst oak panelling backs the choir stalls to the S.
The sanctuary is raised by 2 steps. To the S is a sedilia located beneath a lancet window. The E window is formed of 3 lancets, the central light being tallest. The wood-panelled roof over the chancel and sanctuary is lower, but similar in form, to the nave. Over the altar table it is enhanced with carved decoration.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Oak table with three panels carved with blind tracery and carved symbols in each.
Pulpit
20th century Polygonal, painted, carved Caen stone.
Lectern
20th century Brass eagle lectern, inscribed Jones & Willis.
Font (component)
16th century Octagonal bowl inscribed 1578 and decorative carved oak cover with pinnacles on pulley given in memory of William Dickinson d.1832 and his wife Jane, d.1867 as recorded by brass plaque.
Reredos
20th century Painted carved stone Gothic reredos with painted figurative panels in traceried niches and seated figures in niches. Inscribed above the height of the altar table. Extends along N wall.
Pew (component)
20th century Fixed oak pews with metal umbrella stands to each curved end. Carved frontals with text inscriptions. Decorative carved oak choir stalls with ‘Sing unto the Lord a New Song’ inscribed on N side and ‘For the Lord is Great and Greatly to be Praised’ on the S side. Behind S side stalls is carved panelling inscribed ‘Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord Praise ye the Lord’.
Rail
20th century Ornate brass with scrolling uprights.
Organ (component)
19th century Small, 4 stop organ by WM Hill & Son of 1877.
Plaque (component)
19th century Various brass and marble memorial plaques.
Stained Glass
19th century A large collection.
Bells
Nominal: 1470.5 Hz Weight: 413 lbs Diameter: 25" Bell 2 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 8719 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1383.5 Hz Weight: 462 lbs Diameter: 26.5" Bell 3 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 8720 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1224 Hz Weight: 505 lbs Diameter: 28.13" Bell 4 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 8721 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1100 Hz Weight: 602 lbs Diameter: 30.25" Bell 5 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 8722 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 979.5 Hz Weight: 729 lbs Diameter: 32.63" Bell 6 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 8723 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 919.5 Hz Weight: 850 lbs Diameter: 34.63" Bell 7 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 8724 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 825 Hz Weight: 1112 lbs Diameter: 38.25" Bell 8 of 9
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1904
Dove Bell ID: 8725 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 2110 Hz Weight: 152 lbs Diameter: 17.5" Bell 9 of 9
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 8726 Tower ID: 12524 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers: Marriages since 1730, burials since 1735 and baptisms since 1752.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NY 52 198
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.
Churchyard Structures
War Memorial (freestanding)
Word War 1
Arlecdon war memorial takes the form of a Celtic cross with Celtic designs upon the shaft. It is sited in the churchyard of St Michael's. The memorial is grade II listed.
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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