St Patrick, Preston Patrick

St Patrick
Preston Patrick
Cumbria

St Patrick is sited in a most beautiful location....high on a hill overlooking the valley floor, with Kendal some seven miles to the North, Endmoor a few miles up the road (A65) and Kirkby Lonsdale about eight miles to the East.

Above. A view of the church from the bottom of the drive way, looking North.

It's thought that the church was originally dedicated to St Gregory. There is a well situated near to the church grounds dedicated to St Gregory, possibly somewhere near to the summit of a hill to the North West of the church called St Gregory's hill. It's not clear when the dedication changed, or why.

Above. A view of the church from across the A65

Above. A view looking into the chancel.

Above. Looking down the nave

There was a church on this site in the 1500's and although it was completely rebuilt there are still elements of this building to be seen today. The two niches that can be seen on the wall either side of the chancel window date from the original building.

Above. 15th century niche inserted into the wall of the Chancel.

Above. 15th century niche inserted into the wall of the Chancel.

The window, shown below also dates from the original church.

Above. 15th century window inserted into the wall of the tower.

The church we see today was built in 1852 to designs by Sharpe and Paley, whilst the chancel was added in 1892. St Patrick's possesses a fine collection of stained glass windows, most of which are shown below.

Above. The East window showing St Tristan (far left), St John the Baptist, St Alban the Martyr and St Augustine, by Shrigley and Hunt.

Above. Window entitled "Healing Faith".

Above. Window entitled "Suffer the little children to come unto me". Dated 1926, and presented to the church by the mothers and children of the parish. By Heaton, Butler and Bayne.

Above. Window showing a number of biblical figures. The only two I can identify, are St George, bottom, second left, and St Andrew, bottom, second right. Created by Powell of Whitefriars.

Above. A window dedicated to the memory of Edward Henry Burgh. By Heaton, Butler and Bayne.

Above. Window dated 1871, and dedicated to the Rev J Hebdon. Created by F.Burrow.

The church yard is accessible, and there is plenty of parking within the confines of the church grounds, but the church, as a rule, seems to be kept locked.