Nominal: 833 Hz Weight: 1049 lbs Diameter: 38.75" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1833
Dove Bell ID: 176 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Appleby: St Lawrence
Overview
Grid reference: NY 683 204
Awonderful town church that sits within its graveyard behind the early 18th century classic cloistered entrance designed by Robert Smirke. The church is sited at the northern end of the town (which, in the centre, retains its medieval layout), counterbalancing Appleby Castle which is at the other end of the main street. The church building suffered from the ravages of border wars and, as a consequence, has been substantially repaired on several occasions. The church is predominantly 14th and 15th centurty with the lower stage of the tower and the porch, dating from the 12th and 13th century, being the earliest portions. The exterior conforms to Perpendicular patterns with the top part of the tower and the clerestory being particularly distinctive with gargoyles and battlements. The nave arcade comprises characteristic Decorated quatrefoil pillars supporting pointed arches but with an early 19th century ceiling. The chapel and chancel were built in the 17th century through the patronage of Lady Anne Clifford whose mother’s magnificent alabaster and black basalt effigy makes a delightful contribution to the character of the church. This piece of high art is the perfect counterpoint to the timeworn and gnarled C16 timber screens positioned behind the choir stalls. Another point of interest in the church are the boxed-in early 18th century corporation pews where the town's civic leaders and officers worshipped. Probably the most significant fixture is the 16th century organ, reputed by some to be the oldest working instrument in the country. It is a visual focal point with its renaissance decorations. The attractive Frosterley ‘marble’ font, prominent monuments to Lady Anne Clifford and her mother, other monuments to important residents of the town, some ancient wooden screens and good stained glass are also of interest.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Church open to visitors on most days between 8am and 5pm - it is popular with tourists and visitors Bell ringing Live music and concerts Regular choir Guidebook available Wheelchair access ramp available
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Dimensions:
42m from west end of vestry to east wall
17m from north to south wall
Description of Archaeology and History
The original St. Lawrence’s was probably built around 1115 although no masonry of this period survives today. The foundations of the Norman north wall were however reportedly uncovered in 1856, showing that this building was only slightly smaller than the present structure. In 1115 the church, and perhaps the Castle Keep and the bridge, would probably have been the only stone buildings in town. The church is stated to have been rebuilt by the king’s command in 1178, and the lower stage of the present west tower and the base of the east wall of the chancel date from this period – so that the church had clearly attained its present length before 1200. (from ‘A History of Appleby’ by Sir Martin Holdgate)
Exterior Description
(From Pevsner – Cumbria – 2010) Externally an unimproved Perpendicular town church (though the aisle windows are renewals of 1863), low-roofed, battlemented, aisled from end to end. With a solid West tower of Westmorland type (Brough, Kendal) with two unlinked belfry lights each side. The clerestory over the nave with its gargoyles and arched three-light windows, round-topped but cusped, must be 16th or 17th century. In fact the bottom part of the tower is Norman (see the deeply splayed window in its North wall), the South porch entrance with its dogtooth and hollow chamfers is reused C13, and the South aisle wall is Decorated.
A wide-plan medieval church dating from mid-12th century with 13th century porch, but mainly 14th and 15th century with mid 17th and mid 19th century restorations, vestry added in 19th century. Squat west tower, nave with clerestory, chancel, full length north and south aisles, south porch and vestry in northwest corner. (from 2015 Quinquennial report)
Building Fabric and Features
Bell Tower (component)
1833
A peal of 6 bells was installed in 1833
Cloister
There are II*-Smirke's cloisters adjoining the churchyard
Building Materials
Sandstone
12th onwards
Penrith Sandstone
Sandstone
12th onwards
Yoredale Group Sandstone
Sandstone
Coursed sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings; lead roofs, with slate to the vestry. (Source: Historic England website)
Pale buff, pinkish sandstone with buttresses, parapets and low-pitched lead roofs. (2015 Quinquennial report)
Lead
Lead roofs with slate to the vestry
Interior
Interior Description
(From Pevsner – Cumbria – 2010) Inside, the five-bay arcades are early C14 Dec. They have quatrefoil piers, the foils more than semi-circular and with fillets, and double-chamfered arches. The tower arch, off-centre, is of the same type; so is the W bay of the S aisle half embracing the tower, and the chancel arch and the two-bay S chancel chapel. The N chapel arcade with its flat square capital on its octagonal pier must go with Lady Anne Clifford’s family chapel, built in 1655-6. C. B. Martindale, carrying out repairs in 1959, found an inscription on a beam: ANN COUNTESSE OF PEMBROKE IN ANO 1655 REPAIRED ALL THIS BUILDING. The nave ceiling, with rather parsimonious Gothick panelling and roses and what looks like an iron truss at the W end, was done by Christopher Hodgson in 1830-1. His chancel ceiling was removed presumably in 1959. Bracing arches either side of the chancel arch.
Fixtures and fittings
Screen
1500
of c. 1500 with one-light divisions to both chapels. Plenty of graffiti.
Font (object)
19th century
Black fossily marble, octagonal, on an octagonal base of the same stuff
Organ (object)
17th century
Free-standing in front of the tower arch. Made for Carlisle cathedral in 1661-2 by Roger Preston of Skipton, and given in 1683. The composition is of three turrets. Three fine achievements of arms on top of these, three cherubs’ heads below the cornice. It has been moved within the church at least twice and bears the marks of modification. Some of the carved decoration to be seen on the CORPORATION PEW with its red baize in front of the pulpit may have come from the original organ case.
Stained Glass (window)
Three in S aisle by Heaton, Butler & Bayne, the rest by Wailes (E and S chapel E) or Wailes & Strang.
Tombstone
Margaret, Countess of Cumberland
NE chapel. Margaret, Countess of Cumberland, beloved mother of Lady Anne Clifford, died 1616. Free-standing altar tomb of black marble with an alabaster effigy, attributed to Maximilian Colt, the royal sculptor. The tomb, of excellent workmanship, took a year to make, i.e. 1617. She wears a gilt-metal coronet. Her mantle is draped in the same way as that of Colt’s Queen Elizabeth in Westminster Abbey. On the end arms and supporters in red, on the sides symbols of mortality. The epitaph must have been composed by Lady Anne herself: ‘Who faith, love, mercy, noble constancie/To God, to virtue, to distress, toright/Observ’d, exprest, shew’d, held religiously/Hath here this monument thou seest in sight/The cover of her earthly part. But passenger/Know heaven and fame contaynes the best of her.’
Tombstone
Lady Anne Clifford
Lady Anne, who died at Brougham Castle in 1676, caused her own monument to be built in her lifetime. It was begun c. 1655, and completed in 1657. It is very different. Austere, in blach-and-white marble, with a reredos background with no effigy but a proud family tree of twenty-four shields. Again the epitaph is very typical, referring unflinchingly to ‘ye dead body of ye Lady Anne Clifford’. Attributed to Thomas Stanton (GF).
Plaque (object)
Heelis family
Big Heelis family slab just W of N chapel arch.
Effigy
14th century
In the former window opening between the chancel and S chapel, designed indeed very like a sill, C14 effigy of a lady praying, with floriated cross where the mullion would be.
Plaque (object)
18th century tablet
N chapel, unsigned C18 tablets, all rather artisanish.
Bells
Nominal: 1406.5 Hz Weight: 463 lbs Diameter: 27.06" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1833
Dove Bell ID: 8594 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 1251 Hz Weight: 554 lbs Diameter: 29.75" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1833
Dove Bell ID: 8595 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 1116 Hz Weight: 702 lbs Diameter: 31.69" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1833
Dove Bell ID: 8596 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 1049.5 Hz Weight: 694 lbs Diameter: 32.38" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1833
Dove Bell ID: 8597 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Nominal: 939.5 Hz Weight: 788 lbs Diameter: 35" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1833
Dove Bell ID: 8598 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: quarter Cracked: No
Diameter: 19" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 8599 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Diameter: 22" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by William de Norwich
Dove Bell ID: 8600 Tower ID: 13965 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
The church owns a copy from 1631 of ‘Foxe’s book of Martyrs’. This is currently in safe keeping elsewhere, but we plan to return it when we can display it securely. There are several pieces of ancient furniture (two chairs and a chest)
Churchyard
Grid reference: NY 683 204
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
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.
Churchyard Structures
War Memorial
WW1
The churchyard contains the town’s war memorial for the first world war.
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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