Kendal Parish church Clerestory windows

Clerestory windows
Kendal Parish Church
Kirkland
Kendal
Cumbria

Clerestories were usually added to churches, to provide more light above the nave. The result was usually an almost unbroken wall of glass, often highly decorated, adding light to an other wise fairly dark interior. Kendal Parish Church was no different from those all around the country, in having a clerestory added during the late 15th century. During this period of expansion and building, the church's roof was heightened, and ten windows were inserted on each side of the high nave walls. Apparently the weight of the additional masonry was too much for the pillars on the North aisle to carry, causing some of them to bow. This bowing can still apparently be seen on some of the pillars here. When the church was re-roofed in 1852, two windows from each side were removed, and the masonry strengthened. Some glass from older windows that were now too fractured and broken to exist as whole windows, was incorporated into the clerestory windows. The sixteen remaining clerestory windows, dating from the 19th century, are all shown below, with a brief explanation of each one (where information was available.)

Above. Window dedicated to the memory of Valencia (?) Bagent (?) Barnes, and Henry (?) le Stourgeon Barnes, twin children of Joseph Watkins Barnes.

Above. Window with unidentified coat of arms. I think there's some writing in the scroll beneath the coats of arms, although the only word that can be made out now, is 'of'.

Above. Window dedicated to the Reverend Thomas Symonds, vicar of this parish for 45 years, died 1789, aged 89 years, and also, Ethel Symonds, widow of Thomas, who died November 1814, and also her son, George Walter Scott, who died in 1792, aged 34.

Above. Window with an unidentified coat of arms...possibly relating to someone who was a Free Mason. There is again, a scroll beneath the coat of arms, but it is too faded to read. I think this is one of the windows with small parts of older windows incorporated into it.

Above. Window dedicated to the memory of William Webster, who died in January 1851, and Mary Webster, who died in November 1850.

Above. Another window with no dedication, but with older glass inserted into its design.

Above. Window dedicated to Thompson Bradlots (?) who was twice mayor of the Borough of Kendal, and who died in April 1890 (?)

Above. Window with an unidentified coat of arms.

Above. Window dedicated to the Rev Jos (Joseph?) Watkins Barnes, vicar of the parish of Kendal.

Above. Window erected by Gerrard Gandy, in memory of his brother John Gandy, Ensign in the St Helena Regiment, and who died at St Helena in February 1849.

Above. A window with the simple inscription, " Thomas Taylor gave this window 185?

Above. A window presented to the church by Henry Hoe?e 1851

Above. Window gifted to the church by Cornelius Nicholson, author of the Annals of Kendal, 1851.

If you look at the angel's head, it is strangely devoid of any colour. I wonder if this has been re-used from another window?

Here's a link to Cornelius' book, the Annals of Kendal, free to view and download at Google Books.

Above. A window with the simple inscription of "The humble offering of Anthony Garnett"

Anthony Garnett owned the Castle Dairy on Wildman Street in Kendal, a fantastic 14th century house...the oldest inhabited building in Kendal.

Above. A window gifted to the church by the Reverend George Weston, former assistant Curate at the Parish Church of Kendal, then vicar of Crosby Ravensworth, dated 1851.

Above. A window gifted to the church by Tobias ???? and Samual Whinnery.

Some of the names on these windows have been guessed at due to the fading colours in the glass, whilst others are written across the joins in the windows. Where possible I've made an educated guess, but if anyone can correct any errors, I'd be very grateful.

Next time you visit the Parish Church in Kendal, take a moment to glance up at the Clerestory windows....they are well worth taking a look at.

St Michael, Barton

St Michael
Barton
Cumbria

St Michael lays midway between Dalemain to the West, and Tirril and Sockbridge to the East. Barton, rather than being a village, or even a small hamlet, instead consists of a moated farmstead, a few out buildings, and the wonderful church of St Michael. The only way to get to the church, is along the B5230 that leads from Pooley Bridge to the South West, to Sockbridge and Tirril to the North East. The church is surrounded by a ring of trees, with an opening facing East, and because of this, cannot be seen when travelling up the minor road. There is ample parking here, so there's no need to leave your car further to the South.

Above. A view of the South face of the church.

The first thing that strikes you about the church, is the tower, which seems to hang over the roof. Indeed, this part of the building is one of the earliest parts, built sometime during the 12th century, possibly in 1150 when records tell us that the church here was founded. Its base walls stand within the confines of the church, providing a bizarre 'blockage' between nave and chancel, the beautiful Norman arches linking the West and East ends of the church. The nave wall to the West of the church, also dates from this time. It has been suggested, that when the tower was built, it was built with defence, or at least refuge in mind, but this is pure speculation....many early Norman church towers are assumed to have had this role! Check this link out for some more details on the possibly defensive role the tower may have played, along with other possible fortified ecclesiastical buildings in Cumbria.

Above. A view of the North face of the church.

The width of the tower within the confines of the 13th century walls, give an indication of the width of the original Norman church, possibly covering about half the area the church we see today occupies.

Above. A close up view of the tower, now protruding through the roof.

Above. A view through the central tower, looking towards the chancel at the East end of the church.

Above. A view looking from the Chancel to the tower arch.

The Royal arms visible above the archway, are those of King George II, and date from 1730.

Above. A panoramic view looking towards the central tower from the Chancel.

The above photos shows the extraordinary arches built into the tower when the chance was extended beyond the tower's walls in the 14th century. Local historians think that the work was carried out by Augustinian monks, possibly due to the quality of the workmanship and more likely due to the fact that the church was owned by the Augustinian order at this time.

Above. Looking into the 14th century chancel.

The chancel is situated in a part of the church dating from the very late 1300's, with a three light window above it. The stone work of this window, dates from the 14th century, but the glass in it, dates from 1913....it is shown below (second photo)

Above. A window depicting several angels, with St George standing astride a defeated dragon, in the centre.

Above. Chancel Window dedicated to the memory of William Hugh Parkin, who died in 1911.

Above. Window dedicated to Basil Arthur Cumpston, son of Joseph H. and Ellen Cumpston of Barton Hall, who died in February 1962, and also to his wife, Florence Jane Ashton, who in turn died in July 1952, in Toronto, Canada.

Luckily for me, the church was open on the day I visited, though I'm not sure if this the case normally.

St Mary, Crossthwaite

St Mary
Crossthwaite
Cumbria

Above. A window with the inscription "Blessed art thou amongst women."

Above. A window with the inscription " Hearing them asking their questions."

Above. A window with the inscription "They did all eat, and were healed."

Check this link out for a great over view of the churches in the Lyth Valley.

St Mark, Natland

St Mark
Natland
Cumbria

Above. A view of the West end of the church from the village green.

Above. A view of the church from the Helm, about a mile and a half to the East.

Above. A view of the East end of the church.

Above. A view of the church from the church yard.

Above. Looking down the nave towards the tower.

Above. Looking into the chancel.

Above. A window depicting a host of angels, with St Michael (holding the flaming sword) and an unidentified angel to his right.

This window is dedicated to the memory of Keith Aiden Sinker, who died in West Africa in 1937.

Above. The magnificent East window in the chancel.

The window displays various members of the armed forces across the bottom, and has the following inscription "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and hath raised up a mighty salvation(?) for us." In the centre of this inscription, there is another panel, which is a dedication to all those who have served in our armed forces. The wording isn't very clear, but as soon as I can get a clear idea of what it says, I'll post it here.

Above. Obviously one of the church's more recent window.

I think this has something to do with the original sin and the taking of the apple from the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. The panels in which the inscriptions are presented are a little over exposed, making it difficult to make out the text properly.

Above. Unfortunately another over exposed photo that prevents me from reading the inscription properly. I think it's dedicated to those who died at the Somme in 1916 (left) and at Arnhem in 1944 (right).

Above. Window with the simple inscription "suffer little children to come unto me."

St Mark is not usually open. I think I managed to get a look around after a Sunday morning service, but it's worth trying, just in case it's open to visitors the way more and more churches seem to be these days.

The stained glass windows of Holy Trinity and St George, Kendal

Holy Trinity and St George
New Road
Kendal
Cumbria

Holy Trinity and St George possesses a fine but small collection of beautiful stained glass windows. The clarity of the images contained within their glass, and the intensity of the colour is amazing. Here are those windows with a brief description about each one.

Above. A window dedicated to the 'souls' of Luke and Frances Kelson(?).

This window depicts St Joseph, and is the work of Henry Barnett of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Above. A window showing St George and St Catherine standing side by side, above the Madonna and child. The window is dedicated to the memory of The Rev. William Canon Stevenson, Rector of the parish for thirty two years, who died in August 1827.

Above. The main window in the church, situated behind the altar.

The window shows the Rev. Thomas Wilkinson in the centre light, the founder of the church, holding the building in his arms, and offering it to Christ. There is an inscription beneath this light, but I'm unable to read it from this photo. The left light shows St Cuthbert, patron of the diocese, and beneath him, another unreadable inscription. The right light shows St George standing on the dragon....a motif echoed in the statue high up on the external wall of the church. Unfortunately the inscription beneath this light is also unreadable. The three lights are by John Hardman of Birmingham.

Above. A window depicting St Anne, mother of the Virgin Mary. The window is dedicated to the memory of Mary Denvir(?)

This is the second window by Henry Barnett of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Above. A window dedicated to the memories of John J. Aston Watkins of Hobart, Tasmania, and Simon and Dorothy Myerscough.

This window depicts St John holding a huge quill. Above him, the Crucifixion of St Simon is shown, and beneath him, the execution of St Dorothea. The window is another here by John Hardman of Birmingham.

Above. A window depicting St William. It is dedicated to, bizarrely, the memories of William and Emma Halliday, Isabella Holliday, George Halliday, Jane Halliday, William Holliday and Emma Holliday. It seems that the Holliday and the Hallidays were made for each other!!!

Above. A window depicting the Good Shepherd and St Peter. It is dedicated to the memory of The Rev. James Gibson, Rural Dean, and for 47 years the pastor of the church.

The window was probably erected sometime around 1895, and was gifted to the church by his friends C.I. and W. Ellison

Holy Trinity and St George seems to be open for inspection during the days now, and is well worth a look around.