Ireby Old Church facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ireby Old Church
Ireby Old Church from the east
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OS grid reference	NY 224 394
Location	Near Ireby, Cumbria
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	Churches Conservation Trust
Architecture
Functional status	Redundant
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	11 April 1967
Architect(s)	Ewan Christian (restoration)
Architectural type	Church
Style	Norman
Groundbreaking	12th century
Completed	1880
Closed	1971
Specifications
Materials	Sandstone and limestone blocks, slate roof

Ireby Old Church is a very old Anglican church in Cumbria, England. It's special because only the chancel (the part where the altar is) is left. It stands alone about 1 kilometer (1 mile) west of a small place called Ireby. This church is no longer used for regular church services, so it's called a "redundant church." It is a "Grade I listed building," which means it's a very important historical site that needs to be protected. The Churches Conservation Trust looks after it now.

History of the Church

The church was first built way back in the 12th century. Over time, it changed a bit. In 1845–46, some parts of the church were taken down. This included the nave (the main part of the church), the north aisle (a side section), and the porch.

At that time, important items like the font (used for baptisms), a piscina (a basin for washing sacred vessels), and some carvings were moved. They went to a new church that was built in the nearby village. Later, in 1880, the church was restored by an architect named Ewan Christian.

The church officially stopped being used for regular services on June 11, 1971. On November 7, 1972, it was given to the Churches Conservation Trust. This trust helps to preserve important old churches like Ireby Old Church.

What the Church Looks Like

Ireby Old Church is built from blocks of sandstone and limestone. Its roof is made of green slate. Today, only the former two-bay chancel remains.

At the west end of the church, there is an open bellcote. This is a small structure that holds a bell. The main door is also at the west end, where the old chancel arch used to be. Above the door, you can see a re-used 12th-century tympanum. This is a carved stone panel that often sits above a doorway. There's also a medieval grave slab built into the wall.

On the north wall, there's a doorway that is now blocked up. You can also see a square window from the 18th century. The east wall has three small, round-headed windows. One similar window is placed above them. This wall also has more medieval grave slabs built into it.

Inside the church, the east wall features a restored three-bay arcade. An arcade is a row of arches. Also built into the east wall is a stone altar shelf with a carved medieval cross above it. On the south wall, there are two blocked 13th-century windows. You can't see these windows from outside the church.

The church also has some memorials. One is a wall plaque from 1626. Another is a small shrine, called an aedicule, from 1769.

Features Outside the Church

In the churchyard, you can find two interesting 13th-century octagonal columns. These columns have special tops called capitals. They used to stand inside the church, in the nave.

In 1845–46, when parts of the church were taken down, these columns were moved. They were used as gateposts for a house in the village. But in 1933–34, some digging revealed where the columns originally stood. After the church was restored in 1972, the columns were brought back. Now, they stand in their original spots, just west of the church. These columns are also listed as Grade II*, which means they are very important historical features.

See also

• Grade I listed churches in Cumbria
• Grade I listed buildings in Cumbria
• Listed buildings in Ireby and Uldale
• List of churches preserved by the Churches Conservation Trust in Northern England