West Seaton: Holy Trinity
Overview
Grid reference: NX 999 296
Built 1891. Transepts reordered c.1993. Roof repairs c.2002.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Cruciform plan with square SW tower and porch. 5-bay aisleless nave with N and S transepts (N used as meeting area and S used as vestry). Chancel with former N vestry (now kitchen) and S organ chamber.
Description of Archaeology and History
The site of a Roman fort at Burrow Walls is a short distance to the NE of Holy Trinity. There are also a couple of other tentative Roman attributions within 1km of the site. A viking sword is recorded has having been found in Northside. A post medieval ironworks stood to the north of the site. Workington Harbour opened in 1780 to the W of the church. Old Maps show there were several terraces of houses to the immediate W which remained until c.1950s. There are also various WWII related records including look-outs and factories
Across the River Derwent, Workington Hall, now a ruin, is to the SE. It dates back to the C14 and was the seat of the Curwen family, local Lords of the Manor. The grounds around it were landscaped by Thomas White in 1780s and are registered. St Michael’s church to the S is of C12 origins with C7-C9 century cross shaft fragments recorded in the churchyard.
A foundation stone in the W wall has a modern plaque fixed to it which records ‘This foundation stone was laid by Catharine Blanshard who built and endowed this church of Holy Trinity and Parsonage West Seaton Camerton 30th Day of July 1891’. Further plaques inside the church record Mrs Blanshard as Lady of the Manor of Camerton Hall and the consecration of the church in 1893. Blanshard, was daughter of Ralph Cooke, whose family lived at Camerton Hall – a Grade II listed Georgian house.
The surrounding area has been mined for coal and iron, and is still industrial in nature.
The church was reordered in 1993 to create a meeting area in the N transept (as recorded by a plaque – opened by HRH Princess Royal) and kitchen in the N vestry, moving the clergy vestry to the S transept.
There are no known designations relating to the ecology of the plot. There are trees within the site
Exterior Description
Holy Trinity is constructed on a cruciform plan with a prominent 3-stage square SW tower, with octagonal SW stair turret that projects above the parapet, and louvred openings in the upper stage. The main roofs are steep. The gabled west elevation, which terminates with a stone cross finial, has a foundation stone set in its base with a plaque inscribed 1891 (not original) fixed to it. A door in the base of the tower, on the W side, provides access into the porch via 4 stone steps. The doors have ornate scrolling iron-work and are set within a chamfered pointed doorway with attached pilasters. All of the windows (1 and 2-lights) are protected by metal grids which detract from the overall appearance of the building. Window surrounds are in a contrasting red stone (as are quoins) and are surmounted by hoodmoulds with carved headstops. A stone cill continues around the building beneath the windows. Plinth around the transepts and tower. There are stone buttresses at the corners and half-way along the N and S elevations. A 3-sided porch sits in the angle between the N aisle and N transept. A gabled vestry sits to the E of the N transept. There is a disused door within the E elevation of the N vestry. A boiler room beneath the chancel is accessed from the N side.
Building Fabric and Features
Cruciform Plan
19th century
Tower (component)
19th century square, south-west
Porch
19th century base of tower
Nave
19th century 5-bay, aisleless
Transept
19th century north (meeting area) and south (vestry)
Chancel
19th century
Kitchen
20th century former north vestry
Organ (component)
19th century south chamber
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century exterior
Limestone
19th century exterior
Slate
19th century exterior roof tiles
Wood
19th century interior exposed wooden wagon vault ceiling
Painted Plaster
19th century interior walls blue
Interior
Interior Description
The main point of entry into the church is through the base of the west tower which accesses the wide nave in the SW corner. The interior is a pleasant, coherent, largely unaltered space. Seating is provided by fixed pine pews on raised boarded floors. Heating pipes wrap around the lower walls. The walls are plastered and painted white and single and 2-light windows pierce the N and S walls. A high wooden wagon-vault roof covers the nave space with principle trusses resting on stone corbels between the bays. Windows are glazed with cathedral glass. Spotlights provide additional light. Carpet is laid along the nave.
The west window is formed of 2, 2-light windows with a cinquefoil above, and 5 cinquefoil lights forming a rose window above that.
At the crossing, pointed arches to N and S open into the transepts and a broad arch to the E opens into the chancel. A low partition screens the N transept behind which is a meeting area. A porch projects to the W of it and several steps lead up from the space to the E, into a kitchen situated within the former N vestry. A WC is located beyond that. The S transept is screened by a curtain and used as a vestry. Both N and S elevations in the transepts are pierced by 3 light windows, the central light being taller.
The chancel is raised by 2 steps with choir stalls facing each other to either side. The organ is set back to the S behind a pointed arch. The walls are painted blue. The roof takes the same form as the nave but is lower. 3 lancet windows with attached pilasters at the E end contain stained glass. The sanctuary is raised by another step and the floor is paved in decorative encaustic and glazed (Minton?) floor tiles. The walls are panelled in oak extending either side of the reredos.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Plain open oak table.
Pulpit
19th century Octagonal stone base, carved oak sides, stone steps with iron and brass railings.
Lectern
19th century Carved wood eagle.
Font (component)
19th century Stone - base formed of cluster of shafts with plain round drum. Attractive flat octagonal oak cover with carved vine border.
Reredos
19th century Carved oak with blind tracery and pinnacles. Inscribed 'This so in remembrance of me'. Oak panelling continues either side.
Pew (component)
19th century Simple fixed pine pews.
Rail
19th century Iron uprights with oak rail.
Organ (component)
19th century By 'Jardine & Co' as recorded by plaque, dated 1894.
Plaque (component)
20th century Several memorial plaques commemorating Mrs Banshard, and plaques with names from WWI & WWII.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century E window - 3 lights – each signed by Shrigley and Hunt, from L to R: • Angel of the Annunciation, St George and St John. In memory of Sir Samuel Kelley, d.1934; • Christ Enthroned above the Virgin Mary and Child. In memory of Sophie Elizabeth Turner, d.1929; • 2 figures in armour. In memory - dedicated by worshippers and workers, 1934.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers: Baptisms since 1893 and marriages since 1894 held by Cumbria Archive Service.
Churchyard
Grid reference: NX 999 296
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 | 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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