Diameter: 15.13" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 60435 Tower ID: 23698 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Stalling Busk: St Matthew
Diocese of Leeds
Church, 646560
http://www.upperwensleydalechurch.orgOverview
Grid reference: SD 916 858
A 20th century church, built in 1909 to replace a 17th century building which had fallen into disrepair. St Matthew's is a striking Arts and Crafts-inspired church serving the small village of Stalling Busk in the Yorkshire Dales, sitting near the shore of Lake Semerwater.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
The church has a nave, chancel, narthex and small north and south transepts.
Footprint of Church buildings: 115 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Stalling Busk was previously served by a church between the village and Lake Semerwater, built in 1603, which fell into ruin during the Civil War, replaced by a new church being built in the same location in 1722. The 18th century building fell into disuse and in the early 20th century, and Frederick Squibb, vicar of Askrigg and Stalling Busk, began work to raise funds to build a new church.
Built to a design by Thomas Gerard Davidson at a cost of £825:12:5, the building takes heavy influence from the Arts and Crafts movement and was a striking, modern design when completed. St Matthew's was consecrated in October 1909, having taken around six months to build. In 1913, a number of items were removed from the old church and transferred to the new, including the font, pulpit and a monument. It was also decided at this point to allow the old church to be stripped of its roof and other parts as it could no longer be kept in good repair and the sale of these parts would help with the cost of the new building.
The 18th century ruins still lie visible in the village, surrounded by the old churchyard between the village and the lake to the north.
The church became Grade II listed in 2008.
Exterior Description
St Matthew's is built of roughly coursed sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings, with a Westmorland slate roof in diminishing courses and mitred hips. The building is not aligned geographically west-east owing to constraints of the land when built. with the chancel geographically north-east in the building.
Approaching from the (ecclesiastical) west end, there is a 4-light, stone-mullioned window, flanked on either side by square buttresses. The narthex/baptistry roof overhangs, and the nave gable end above is tiled, with a protruding gable where the bell is hung. The entrance on the south side is formed by the west wall and a triangular buttress, overhung by the narthex roof. Moving east, there are three rectangular, leaded windows, separated by triangular buttresses. The south transept joins the nave, with a low roof and a small square window set in the south side. At the east end are three square windows with stone quatrefoil tracery. The north transept has a 2-light, stone mullioned window, and a tall stone chimney stack rises from the roof. The north nave wall mirrors the south wall, with three windows divided by triangular buttresses. The north side of the narthex has a 2-light, stone mullioned window, matching that in the north transept. A stone cross sits at the apex of the nave roof.
The churchyard is small, surrounded by a stone boundary wall with iron gates on the approach to the entrance.
Interior
Interior Description
St Matthew's is entered through the south entrance at the west end, into a small nave with tile floor and painted walls. The chancel is separated from the nave by a stone archway with a circular window above, with steps up to the altar. A font sits at the front of the nave in the north east. The roof is supported by timber scissor trusses on stone corbels. A second stone archway separating the west end of the nave and narthex mirrors the chancel.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 916 858
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
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