St Kentigern's Church, Caldbeck facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Kentigern's Church, Caldbeck
St Kentigern's Church, Caldbeck, from the south
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OS grid reference	NY 325 398
Location	Caldbeck, Cumbria
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	St Kentigern, Caldbeck
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Saint Kentigern (Saint Mungo)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	11 April 1967
Architectural type	Church
Style	Norman, Gothic
Groundbreaking	12th century
Completed	1932
Specifications
Materials	Body sandstone Tower limestone with sandstone quoins, Roof green slate
Administration
Parish	Caldbeck
Deanery	Carlisle
Archdeaconry	Carlisle
Diocese	Carlisle
Province	York

St Kentigern's Church, also known as St Mungo's Church, is a historic church in the village of Caldbeck, Cumbria, England. It is an active Anglican parish church, meaning it serves the local community. The church is a very important building, listed as a Grade I listed building on the National Heritage List for England. It is named after Saint Kentigern, who is also called Saint Mungo.

History of St Kentigern's Church

The oldest parts of the church were built in the 12th and 13th centuries. It stands on the site of an even older church from the 6th century.

Key Changes Over Time

• In 1512, John Whelpdale made changes, including rebuilding the chancel (the area around the altar) and adding a small chapel.
• In 1727, another section was added to the church tower.
• In 1880, the church was "restored" by C. J. Ferguson. This means parts were repaired and updated, including the wooden roof of the chancel.
• More restoration work happened in 1932 by J. F. Martindale. New windows were put in the aisles (side passages) and clerestory (upper windows). The open wooden roof in the nave (main part of the church) was also added then.

Architecture of the Church

Let's explore what St Kentigern's Church looks like, both inside and out.

Outside the Church

The main part of the church is built from sandstone blocks. The tower is made of limestone with sandstone blocks called quoins at the corners. The roof is covered with green slate tiles.

Roof and Tower Details

• The roof has coped gables (the triangular parts of the wall at the end of the roof).
• On the east gable, there is a cross finial (a decorative top piece).
• The church has a long main area called a nave with six sections. It has aisles on the north and south sides, and a clerestory (a row of windows above the aisles).
• There is a south porch (an entrance area) and a chancel with two sections.
• A south vestry (a room for clergy) is also present, which used to be a small chapel.
• The tower has three levels, called "stages." The bottom two levels are from the medieval period.
• The top level of the tower was added in 1727. It has louvred (slatted) openings for the bells and a battlemented parapet (a low wall with gaps, like on a castle).

Windows and Doors

• The aisles have windows with two sections and trefoil (three-leaf clover) shapes at the top. Some are original, others were added in 1932.
• The clerestory windows, with two or three sections, also date from 1932.
• The chancel has two original windows and a low squint (a narrow opening to see the altar).
• Above the vestry, there is a four-section window.
• The large east window has five sections and a dedication to John Whelpdale.
• The entrance from the tower into the nave is a Norman doorway, which was moved from another part of the church.
• Inside the porch, there is another Norman doorway that was also moved.
• The porch also contains a medieval grave slab and a holy water stoup (a basin for holy water).
• On the south wall, there is a blocked-up door that was once used by the priest.

Inside the Church

The interior of St Kentigern's Church holds many interesting features.

Key Features Inside

• In the baptistry (the area for baptisms), there is a hexagonal font (a basin for holy water) from the 14th century.
• The south wall has a piscina (a basin for washing sacred vessels) from the 13th century.
• On the west wall, you can see the royal arms of King George IV and a painted message from 1731.
• The beautiful stained glass in the east window was made by William Wailes in 1867. It shows scenes from the last days of Jesus.
• In the north aisle, there are two windows made by James Powell and Sons in 1938. One shows Saint Kentigern, and the other shows Saint Cuthbert.

External Features

John Peel's headstone

Near the church, you can find St Mungo's well, a holy well where Christians were baptised in the 6th century. In the churchyard, there is the grave of John Peel, a famous local huntsman. He is the subject of the well-known song D'ye ken John Peel? Also buried in the churchyard is Mary Robinson Harrison, who was known as the Maid of Buttermere.

See also

In Spanish: Iglesia de San Kentigern (Caldbeck) para niños

• Grade I listed buildings in Cumbria
• Listed buildings in Caldbeck