List of churches in South Lakeland facts for kids

South Lakeland is a beautiful area in Cumbria, England. It's known for its stunning landscapes, including parts of the Lake District National Park. This area is also home to many churches, some of which are very old! There are about 147 churches for around 104,000 people, which means there's roughly one church for every 707 residents.

However, not every small village or town has an active church. For example, places like Angerton, Blawith and Subberthwaite, Docker, Fawcett Forest, Lambrigg, Mansriggs, Nether Staveley, Preston Richard, Sedgwick, Strickland Roger and Whinfell don't have churches that are currently in use.

Exploring South Lakeland's Old Churches

Many churches in South Lakeland have stood for a very long time. When we talk about "medieval" churches, we mean those built before the year 1485. It's interesting to know that in Cumbria, unlike many other parts of England, a lot of churches were still being built during the 1500s and 1600s. This happened as more people settled in the more remote areas of the district.

Below is a map showing some of the oldest churches in South Lakeland. Can you find any near where you live or have visited?

A Look at Some Churches

South Lakeland has many churches, each with its own story. They belong to different Christian groups, like the Church of England, Roman Catholic, and Methodist. Some are very old, dating back to medieval times, while others are more modern.

Here are a few examples of churches you can find in the area:

Churches in Aldingham

• St Cuthbert, Aldingham: This church is very old, founded in medieval times. It belongs to the Church of England.
• St Matthew, Dendron: Also in Aldingham, this church was first built in 1642. It was rebuilt in 1795.

Churches in Arnside

• St James, Arnside: This Church of England church was founded in 1866.
• Our Lady of Lourdes, Arnside: A Roman Catholic church, its current building dates from 1977. It was founded in 1926.
• Arnside Methodist Church: This Methodist church has been around since 1876.

Churches in Beetham

• St Bartholomew, Barbon: A medieval Church of England church, rebuilt in 1893.
• St Michael & All Angels, Beetham: Another medieval Church of England church.
• Storth Village Church: This church in Storth is special because it's a mix of Anglican and Methodist traditions, formed in 2006.

Churches in Broughton

• St Mary Magdalene, Broughton-in-Furness: This is a medieval Church of England church.
• Broughton-in-Furness Methodist Church: A Methodist church in Broughton West.
• Holy Innocents, Broughton Mills: This Church of England church was built in 1888.

Churches in Kendal

Kendal, a larger town, has many churches:

• Holy Trinity, Kendal: This is a very important and old Church of England church, dating back to medieval times.
• St George, Kendal: Built in 1754, its current building became the parish church in 1841.
• St Thomas, Kendal: This Church of England church was built between 1835 and 1837.
• Holy Trinity & St George, Kendal: A Roman Catholic church, first built in 1793. Its current building is from 1835-1837.
• Stricklandgate Methodist Church: One of several Methodist churches in Kendal, founded in 1787.
• Kendal United Reformed Church: This church dates back to the 1600s.
• Kendal Quaker Meeting: The Quakers have a meeting house here.

Churches in Ulverston

• St Mary, Ulverston: A medieval Church of England church, mostly rebuilt in the 1860s.
• St Mary of Furness, Ulverston: This Roman Catholic church was founded in 1824, with its current building from 1893-1895.
• Ulverston Methodist Church: A Methodist church, with its current building from 1818.

Churches That Are No Longer Active

Sometimes, churches stop being used for regular services. This can happen for many reasons, like fewer people attending or the building becoming too old to maintain. These are called "redundant" or "defunct" churches.

Here are a few examples of churches in South Lakeland that are no longer active:

• St John the Baptist, Blawith: This Church of England church was built in 1862-1863 but became redundant in 1988.
• St Margaret, Staveley: This was a medieval Church of England church that was replaced by St James's Church in the 1800s.
• Holy Trinity, Ulverston: Built between 1829 and 1832, this Church of England church became redundant in 1976.

These buildings often find new uses, sometimes becoming homes, community centers, or even museums, preserving their history in a new way.