St John the Baptist, Old Hutton

St John the Baptist

Old Hutton

Cumbria

Old Hutton is situated on the B6254 about four miles South East of Kendal. The village is spread out along the road between Oxenholme and the M6 motorway. The church we see today dates from 1873 but stands on the site of earlier buildings. A church or, more likely, a small chapel, stood here until about 1628. This original chapel was dedicated to St John the Baptist, and stood until it was replaced by another place of worship built in 1699. The church of 1873 cost £1250 with the majority of the funds being raised from the parishioners and local gentry. The church was built to designs by Brade and Smales.

Above. Looking at the East end of the church.

It doesn't seem that the church had a dedicated burial ground until around 1822. It was extended in 1863 and then once again in 1920. Old Hutton was a parish under the wider parish of Kendal, with its own parsonage being provided in 1831. Old and New Hutton became a joint parish in 1924. In 1984, Grayrigg was added to the parish.

Above. The circular apse at the East end of the church.

Above. Close up of the belfry.

Above. Looking down the nave towards the chancel.

Above. Inside the apse of the chancel.

Above. Looking West down the nave.

As far as I can remember, there are only two stained glass windows in this church. The first, a single light window, can be found in the East wall of the chancel.

This window depicts the crucifixion and was created by Abbot and Company of Lancaster in 1948.

The second window is a two light window, erected to the memory of Thomas Fawcett who died in 1881, and his wife, Mary, who died in 1883. The church appears to be open most days for inspection.