Friday 18 September 2009

St Paul, Lindale

St Paul
Lindale
Cumbria

The small village of Lindale lays between Grange Over Sands, about two miles to the South on the B5277, and Witherslack about two miles to the North East on the A590. The Grade II listed church of St Paul can be found at the top of Bell Hill. Parking is very limited. The walk into the church yard gives the impression that the church is hemmed in, but if you continue walking around the back, the yard opens out into a wide spacious church yard, well worth exploring.

Built in 1828 to designs by Kendal architect George Webster, the church probably replaced an earlier church or chapel, with some documentation mentioning a church in 1577. There are no remains of this earlier building, and I'm not sure if this church is built on the site of its predecessor, or if the earlier church or chapel was elsewhere in the village. I love the tower on this church....it looks completely out of proportion to the rest of the building.....but it is small and perfectly formed, with tiny louvered bell openings.

Internally, the chancel, north vestry and the organ loft were added in 1864. A North aisle was added in 1912/1913. Unfortunately, on the few occasions I've visited St Paul, it has been locked. There is a beautiful Saxon font stored in the church....a hollowed out, carved piece of stone that was used in the past as a font....although this may not be its original use.

St Pauls is the last resting place of George Webster, the architect responsible for the church here at Lindale, as well as churches, work-houses, houses, banks and stately homes throughout Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire. His wife, Eleanor is interred next to him.

The Grade II listed monument can be found to the left hand side of the pathway as you enter the church yard. The church has a number of stained glass windows....although the most precious one is undoubtedly a Shrigley and Hunt piece showing St Paul. More photos will follow when I can visit the interior.

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