button to main menu  Old Cumbria Gazetteer
Holy Trinity, Kendal
Holy Trinity Church
Kendal Church
Street:-   Kirkland
locality:-   Kendal
civil parish:-   Kendal (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   church
coordinates:-   SD51699213
1Km square:-   SD5192
10Km square:-   SD59
references:-   : 2005: Diocese of Carlisle, Directory 2004/5


photograph
BJS51.jpg (taken 14.8.2005)  
photograph
CAV66.jpg (taken 3.6.2014)  

evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 38 8) 
placename:-  Trinity Church
source data:-   Maps, County Series maps of Great Britain, scales 6 and 25 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, from about 1863 to 1948.
"Trinity Church (Vicarage) / Grave Yard"

evidence:-   old map:- Speed 1611
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, The Countie Westmorland and Kendale the Cheif Towne, scale about 2.5 miles to 1 inch, by John Speed, 1610, published by George Humble, Popes Head Alley, London, 1611-12.
image  click to enlarge
SP14Mk.jpg
"8 The Church"
church, 2 aisles and tower 
item:-  Armitt Library : 2008.14.5
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Ogilby 1675 (plate 38) 
source data:-   Road strip map, hand coloured engraving, continuation of the Road from London to Carlisle, scale about 1 inch to 1 mile, by John Ogilby, London, 1675.
image
OG38m252.jpg
In mile 256, Westmoreland. 
Tiny drawing of a church. 
item:-  JandMN : 21
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Simpson 1746
source data:-   Atlas, three volumes of maps and descriptive text published as 'The Agreeable Historian, or the Compleat English Traveller ...', by Samuel Simpson, 1746.
image SMP3P5, button  goto source
Page 1023:-  "..."
"Kendal, called also Kirkby Candale, i.e. a Church in the Valley upon the River Can, ..."
image SMP3P6, button  goto source
Page 1024:-  "..."
"... The Church here is beautiful, and very large, and yet has twelve Chapels of Ease belonging to it. 'Tis supported by five Rows of handsome Pillars. ..."

evidence:-   old map:- Jefferys 1770
source data:-   Map, 4 sheets, The County of Westmoreland, scale 1 inch to 1 mile, surveyed 1768, and engraved and published by Thomas Jefferys, London, 1770.
image
J55192Q.jpg
"Church"
building/s 
item:-  National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47
Image © National Library of Scotland

evidence:-   old map:- Jefferys 1770 (Wmd) 
source data:-   Map, 4 sheets, The County of Westmoreland, scale 1 inch to 1 mile, surveyed 1768, and engraved and published by Thomas Jefferys, London, 1770.
image
J5SD59SW.jpg
church 
item:-  National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47
Image © National Library of Scotland

evidence:-   old text:- Pennant 1773
item:-  monument
source data:-   Book, A Tour from Downing to Alston Moor, 1773, by Thomas Pennant, published by Edward Harding, 98 Pall Mall, London, 1801.
image PEN6p119, button  goto source
Pennant's Tour 1773, page 119  "... I saw in the church certain tombs of the Strictlands, of Sizergh-hall, in this neighbourhood: one is remarkable for the figure of Walter Strickland, a fat lad in a loose gown, with a most fulsome epitaph, dated 1656."
"A mural monument of Sir Augustine Nichols, one of the Justices of the Common Pleas, who died here in Court, in"
image PEN6p120, button  goto source
Pennant's Tour 1773, page 120  "discharge of his office in 1616: and on the wainscot of a pew is a brass plate, with the figure of Alan Bellingham, esq. dressed in armour; he died in 1577. This Gentleman was of Helsington, near this town, a Bencher of the Inner Temple, and Member for the county in the 13th of Queen Elizabeth. He was of a very considerable family in this county, and died possessed of large property, part of the divided barony of Kendal."
"I am surprised that Dr. Burn should omit the mention of a native of this town, who would have done honour to any country - Thomas Shaw, the celebrated traveller, was born here in 1693: he was son of Gabriel Shaw, shearman and dyer, a reputable and profitable business. The merit of his travels in Barbary, Egypt, and the Holy Land, are justly held in the highest estimation, and beyond the danger of being either depreciated or superseded. He became Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford, and was promoted to the Headship of Edmund-hall; and, in 1751, died in high reputation, for knowledge, probity, and pleasantry. His countenance was grotesque, but marked most strongly with jocularity and good-humour, so as to diffuse into the company the full effects of his innocent and instructive mirth. The print prefixed to his works is a faithful representation of this excellent and able character."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- West 1778 (11th edn 1821) 
item:-  inscriptioncoat of arms
source data:-   Guide book, A Guide to the Lakes, by Thomas West, published by William Pennington, Kendal, Cumbria once Westmorland, and in London, 1778 to 1821.
image WS21Pr02, button  goto source
Preface, Footnote:-  "Mr. WEST died the 10th of July, 1779, at the ancient seat of the Stricklands, at Sizergh, in Westmorland, in the sixty-third year of his age; and, according to his own request, was interred in the choir, or chapel, belonging to the Strickland Family in Kendal Church. ..."
"... ..."
image WS21P179, button  goto source
Page 179:-  "..."
"Mr. Gray's description of this town [Kendal] is injurious to it; but his account of the church and castle is worth transcribing. 'Near the end of the town, ... the"
image WS21P180, button  goto source
Page 180:-  "church, a very large Gothic fabric, with a square tower; it has no particular ornaments, but double aisles, and at the east four chapels, or choirs.' Mr. Gray's account then proceeds to the inside of the church,[1] which he describes with his usual accuracy and ease. Speaking of the four chapels or choirs, he says, 'there is one of the Parrs, another of the Stricklands, the third is the proper choir of the church, and the fourth of the Bellinghams, a family now extinct. The Bellinghams came into Westmorland before the reign of Henry VII, and were seated at Burneside.[2] In the reign of Henry VIII, Alan Bellingham purchased of the king the 20th part of a knight's fee in Helsington, parcel of the possession of Henry Duke of"
"[1] The following epitaph, composed for himself, by Mr. Ravlph Tirer, vicar of Kendal (who died in 1627) and placed in the chancel, may be worth the reader's perusal on account of its quaintness, and yet uncommon historical precision."
"London bredd me, Westminster fedd me, / Cambridge sped me, my sister wed me, / Study taught me, Liuing sought me, / Learning brought me, Kendall caught me, / Labour pressed me, Sickness distressed me, / Death oppressed me, & Graue possessed me, / God first gave me, Christ did saue me, / Earth did crave me, &Heauen would haue me."
"X."
"[2] In the reign of King Edward II. Richard Bellingham married Margaret, daughter and heiress of Gilbert Burnshead, of Burnshead, Knt. near Kendal."
image WS21P181, button  goto source
Page 181:-  "Richmond, and Sir John Lumley (Lord Lumley) which his father, Thomas Bellingham, had farmed of the crown; he was succeeded by his son, James Bellingham, who erected the tomb in the Bellingham's chapel. There is an altar tomb of one of them (viz. Alan Bellingham) dated 1577, with a flat brass arms and quarterings; and in the window their arms alone, argent, a hunting horn sable, strung gules. In the Strickland's chapel are several modern monuments, and another old altar tomb, not belonging to the family: on the side of it, a fess dancette between ten billets deincourt. This tomb is probably of Sir Ralph D'Aincourt, who, in the reign of King John, married Helen, daughter of Anselm de Furness, whose daughter, and sole heiress, Elizabeth D'Aincourt, was married to William, son and heir of Sir Robert de Strickland, of Great Strickland, Knt. 23 of Henry III. The son and heir was Walter de Strickland, who lived in the reign of Edward I, was possessed of the fortunes of Anselm de Furness and D'Aincourt in Westmorland, and erected the above tomb to the memory of his grandfather, Ralph D'Aincourt. The descendants of the said Walter de Strickland have lived at Sizergh, in the neighbourhood, ever since, and this chapel is the family burial place. In Parr's chapel is a third altar tomb, in the corner, no figure or inscription, but on the side, cut in stone, an escutcheon"
image WS21P182, button  goto source
Page 182:-  "of Ross, of Kendal, three water budgets, quartering Parr, two bars in a border engrailed; 2dly, an escutcheon, vaire, a fess for Marmion; 3dly, an escutcheon, three chevronels braced, and a chief which I take for Fitzhugh: at the foot is an escutcheon, surrounded with the garter, bearing Ross and Parr quarterly, quartering the other two before mentioned. I have no books to look in, therefore cannot say whether this is Lord Parr, of Kendal, Queen Catharine's father, or her brother the Marquis of Northampton. Perhaps it is a cenotaph for the latter, who was buried at Warwick, 1571.'"
image WS21P214, button  goto source
Addendum; Mr Gray's Journal, 1769 
Page 214:-  "... Near the end of the town [Kendal] stands a handsome house of Colonel Wilson's, and adjoining to it the church, a very large gothic fabric, with a square tower, it has no particular ornaments but double aisles, and at the east end four chapels or choirs; one of the Parrs, another of the Stricklands, the third is the proper choir of the church, and the fourth of the Bellingham's, a family now extinct. There is an altar tomb of one of them dated 1577, with a flat brass arms and quarterings; and in the window their arms alone, arg. a hunting horn sab. strung gules. In the Stricklands' chapel several monuments, and another old altar tomb not belonging to the family: on the side of it a fess dancette between ten billets deincourt. In the Parrs' chapel is a third altar tomb in the corner, no figure or inscription, but on the side cut an escutcheon of Ross of Kendal (three water buckets) quartering Parr, (two bars in a bordure engrailed). 2dly, an escutcheon, vaire, a fess for Marmion; 3rdly, an escutcheon, three chevronels braced, and a chief (which I take for Fitzhugh) at the foot is an escutcheon, surrounded with the garter, bearing Ross and Parr quarterly, quartering the other two before-mentioned. I have no books to look in, therefore cannot say, whether this is the Lord Parr, of Kendal, Queen Catherine's father, or her brother the Marquis of Northampton; perhaps it is a cenotaph for the latter, who was buried at Warwick, in 1571."

evidence:-   old text:- Camden 1789 (Gough Additions) 
item:-  coat of arms
source data:-   Book, Britannia, or A Chorographical Description of the Flourishing Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, by William Camden, 1586, translated from the 1607 Latin edition by Richard Gough, published London, 1789.
image CAM2P152, button  goto source
Page 152:-  "... The church is large, divided into five ailes, and has an altar-tomb with arms in a garter for sir William Parr, grandfather to the marquis of Northampton and queen Catherine, who was born here. The parish comprehends 24 townships or constablewicks, and was antiently larger. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Capper 1808
source data:-   Gazetteer, A Topographical Dictionary of the United Kingdom, compiled by Benjamin Pitts Capper, published by Richard Phillips, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, 1808; published 1808-29.
image CAP126, button  goto source
"[Kendal] ... The church is a large Gothic fabric, divided into five ailes, with a square tower; at the east end are four chapels. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
source data:-   Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922.
image G825A414, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1825 part 1 p.414 
From the Compendium of County History:-  "1645. In this year, probably, Colonel Briggs besieged Holme House, Winandermere, eight or ten days, until the raising of the seige of Carlisle brought Mr. H. Philipson of Crooke, to whom it belonged, to the relief of his brother Robert in Holme House. The next day Mr. Robert, with three or four companions, rode to Kendal to take revenge on the adverse party there; he passed the watch, and rode into the church, in expectation of finding Colonel Briggs, but did not succeed. Robert was unhorsed by the guards on his return; but being relieved by his companions by a desperate charge, he vaulted into the saddle without girth, and killing a sentinel galloped away. For this, and other adventures, he obtained the appellation of Robin the Devil."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ford 1839 (3rd edn 1843) 
source data:-   Guide book, A Description of Scenery in the Lake District, by Rev William Ford, published by Charles Thurnam, Carlisle, by W Edwards, 12 Ave Maria Lane, Charles Tilt, Fleet Street, William Smith, 113 Fleet Street, London, by Currie and Bowman, Newcastle, by Bancks and Co, Manchester, by Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh, and by Sinclair, Dumfries, 1839.
image FD01P021, button  goto source
Page 21:-  "... [Kendal]"
"... The church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, stands in the township of Kirkland; it is one hundred and eighty feet long, and ninety-nine feet broad, consisting of five aisles, divided by arches, which spring from eight pillars. The tower, seventy-two feet in height, is very strong, and contains a peel of ten bells. In the church are four chapels, three of which belonged to the Parrs, Stricklands, and Bellinghams; the other is the proper choir of the church, though called the Alderman's choir, because they were wont to sit there. The Stricklands of Sizergh Hall still use their chapel as a burial-place, and several of the family lie entombed there under a rich marble monument. This church was given by Ivo de Talebois to St. Mary's Abbey, York, and granted, after the dissolution, by Queen Mary, to Trinity College, Cambridge, to which the patronage, great tithes, tithes of wool and lamb, still belong. ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag
item:-  Civil War
source data:-   Magazine, The Gentleman's Magazine or Monthly Intelligencer or Historical Chronicle, published by Edward Cave under the pseudonym Sylvanus Urban, and by other publishers, London, monthly from 1731 to 1922.
image G849B252, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1849 part 2 p.252  "..."
"Whoever has wandered into the Bellingham chapel, in the large and curious church at Kendal, a fabric, which from its component parts, though more so for the plan than its details, seems almost out of the pale of ecclesiastical architecture (it having a nave and no less than four aisles, features in its construction so peculiar that there are but the churches of St. Michael's in Coventry and St. Mary Magdalen in Taunton, with one or two others, of similar arrangement in England, to be met with), will have seen suspended high over an ancient altar-tomb a battered helmet, through whose crust of whitewash the rust of ages is plainly to be discerned. The learned in such display of warlike or heraldic insignia, after hearing the usual information which is there detailed, are left pretty much after all to form their own opinions from their own observation and knowledge, whether this antique casque belonged to Sir Roger Bellingham, who was interred, A.D. 157-, in the tomb beneath, and exalted as a token of the distinction he had received at the hand of his sovereign, in being made a knight banneret on the field of battle, - or was obtained by the puissant burgesses of Kendal from one of the Philipsons, and elevated to its present position as a trophy of their valour. Nevertheless, whichever of these accounts may have truth for its foundation, the helmet in question is strangely enough called "The rebel's cap;" and its history forms the theme of the following bold and sacrilegious action, which, though "an old tale and often told," ought not to be refused a place in these pages."
"The Philipsons, as before said, were staunch Royalists, and during the wars between Charles I. and the Parliament there were two brothers of the family at Crooke Hall who had espoused the royal cause. Hudelston the elder, to whom the island belonged, held the rank of Colonel, and his brother Robert that of Major, in the King's army. The latter, who is still renowned in county tradition for many daring acts, was a man of high and adventurous courage; and, from his desperate exploits, had acquired among the Parliamentarians the significant but not very reputable cognomen of "Robin the Devil." At that time there resided in Kendal a leading partisan of the Parliament, named Briggs, who was also an active officer in their army. He was a distant kinsman of the Philipsons, of whom notwithstanding he was a bitter enemy; and, having heard that Major Philipson was in his brother's house on the island, in charge of the valuable property of the family, he invested the place, with the view of making prisoner so obnoxious a character. The Major, however, was too old a soldier to be caught for want of vigilance; he was on the alert, and, with his usual fearless hardihood, defended the isle, during a siege of ten days with a courage worthy of his reputation, though subjected to severe privation; as Briggs, having seized all the boats upon the lake, had stopped the supplies. Colonel Philipson, who was at the siege of Carlisle, hearing of his brother's beleaguerment, hastened to the rescue, with a force which obliged the Parliamentarian to abandon his attempt; and since that time the echoes of this brightest of our English lakes, unroused by the angry sounds of warlike conflict, have slumbered in peace. The attack being thus repulsed, Major Philipson was not the"

evidence:-   old text:- Gents Mag 1849
source data:-   image G849B253, button  goto source
Gentleman's Magazine 1849 part 2 p.253  "man to remain quiet under the injury he had received. He quickly assumed the offensive, and having, as the song says,"
"-- -- gathered a band
Of the best who would ride at his command,"
"the day after the siege was raised, rode to Kendal to make reprisals; passing the watch on duty at the outskirts, he was told that Colonel Briggs, it being Sunday, was at prayers, whereupon, without a moment's hesitation, he proceeded to the church. Having stationed his men to guard the approaches, he rode directly forward into the building in search of Briggs, dashing down the principal aisle into the midst of the congregation. Whatever were his intentions, whather to shoot the Colonel on the spot, or merely to carry him off prisoner, they were defeated; his foe was not present. The people were at first too much surprised at the appearance of such a warlike appartition to offer opposition, and in the confusion into which they were thrown the dauntless intruder, discovering that his object could not be effected, was suffered to ride out of the church through another aisle. In making his exit his head struck violently against the arch of the doorway, which was much lower than that under which he had entered, when his helmet, unclasped by the blow, fell to the ground. Stooping to recover it, the saddle-girths gave way, or as some have said he was assaulted, the griths cut, and himself unhorsed. The congregation, recovering from their amazement, and taking advantage of his discomfiture, hastened to seize him; but his followers, rushing in to his assistance, drove back the assailants, and rescued him by their vigorous charge. In the melée the major killed the man who had seized him, threw the saddle upon his horse, and, ungirthed as it was, vaulted into the seat. His men closed around, and riding full speed through the streets, by an early hour in the afternoon made good his retreat to the strong-hold on the lake. The captured helm was afterwards hung aloft as a momento of the action, and to this incident the world is indebted for the following poetical description in "Rokeby" of a similar scene:"
"All eyes upon the gateway hung,
When through the gothic arch there sprung
A horseman armed, at headlong speed.
Sable his cloak, his plume, his steed;
Fire from the flinty floor was spurn'd,
The vaults unwonted clang return'd!
One instant's glance around he threw,
From saddle bow his pistol drew,
Grimly determined was his look,
His charger with his spurs he struck.
All scattered backward as he came,
For all knew Bertram Risingham.
Three bounds that noble courser gave,
The first had reach'd the central nave,
The second clear'd the chancel wide,
The third he was at Wycliffe's side."
"While yet the smoke the deed conceals,
Bertram his ready charger wheels,
But floundered on the pavement floor
The steed, and down his rider bore,
And bursting in the headlong sway,
The faithless saddle-girths gave way.
'Twas while he toil'd him to be freed,
And with the rein to raise the steed,
That from amazement's iron trance
All Wycliffe's soldiers waked at once."
"This exploit of the Major's was long held in general rememberance by the country round, and the fame of its excessive temerity preseved in a ballad of the times, entitled "Dick and the Devil," which is exceedingly rare ..."

evidence:-   old text:- Harper 1907
item:-  Civil War55th Westmorland RegimentCrimean War
source data:-   Guidebook, The Manchester and Glasgow Road, by Charles G Harper, published by Chapman and Hall Ltd, London, 1907.
HP01p101.txt
Page 101:-  "..."
"The great church of Kendal lies low, by the river, and is great, not in height, nor in any imposing architectural design, but in the sheer ground-space it covers. It has no fewer than five aisles, and by consequence of them looks squat. It is a kind of Westmoreland Westminster Abbey, the place of"
HP01p102.txt
Page 102:-  "sepulture of barons and squires innumerable from the castle on the hill yonder and from the country round about. Their private chapels, where Parrs and Bellinghams, Stricklands, Howards, and other lie, are now not a little the worse for wear, and no longer private; and their mortuary glories obscured. But to one of the old school of county historians or patient genealogists, the interior of Kendal church would be, in the way of hatchments, heraldic carvings, and flatulent epitaphs, the study of years. More to my purpose are the strange incidents and odd inscriptions of the place."
"..."
"There hangs, for example, in the once private chapel of the dead and gone Bellinghams a helmet with a story. Once, it seems, in the days when Cavalier and Roundhead fought out their dispute, there flourished a family of Philipsons in the Windermere district, with a notorious person, Major Robert Philipson, at their head: so wild and reckless that he was commonly known as "Robin the Devil." It is hardly necessary to add that he was not a Puritan. This rumbustious character, greatly incensed that the Puritans should have established themselves in the town, under one Colonel Briggs, set out one Sunday with a number of horsemen, to kill the"
HP01p103.txt
Page 103:-  "colonel in church. Happily for Briggs, he had not attended service that day, and Philipson, rampaging with drawn sword over the building, was baulked of his prey: although it does not seem quite certain that Robin would have been fortunate had Briggs been present, for even without their commander the people present made him run, and in his haste to go his helmet was knocked off against an archway. He did not stop to recover it, but made off as quick as he could go. So much for your dare-devils. The helmet was hung up as a trophy. But Smelfungus, the antiquary, who must for always be spoiling the best stories with dry facts, tells us that the helmet is really a portion of the funeral armour of Sir Roger Bellingham, suspended over his tomb."
"Among the interesting items in Kendal Church are pieces of an ancient cross, dated about A.D. 850, and the monument to over one hundred and fifty officers and men of the 55th (Westmoreland) Regiment, who fell in that most stupid of blunders, the Crimean War, from which none, save the Army contractors, ever reaped any advantage. Here, too, is a Chinese "Dragon Flag," captured at Chusan, and deposited in the church in 1874."
"Here, also, is a monument to the unfortunate Sir Augustine Nichols, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, poisoned when on circuit at Kendal in 1616. But the most curious object in Kendal Church is the epitaph upon a former vicar, the Reverend Ralph Tyrer, B.D., who died in June, 1627. The curious rhymes of which it is composed are said to have been written by himself; but, however that may be, it is certain that whoever was the author of them was keenly desirous of puzzling posterity. He has done it effectually, too. He has set out, in his rugged and uncouth way, that -"
HP01p104.txt
Page 104:-  ""My sister wed me": that is the crux of the matter; but it does not appear that this is to be taken seriously, in its ordinary meaning. As to the real interpretation, we are offered at least two stories: the one that his sister finding him too busy or too diffident a man to do his own wooing, conducted his courtship for him and provided him with a wife of her own choosing. In that case, she dared much. The alternative theory is that the word "sister," as used here, is intended to bear an academical meaning, and to indicate that he was educated at Cambridge but admitted ad eundem afterwards to the "sister University" of Oxford."
"..."

evidence:-   old map:- Nurse 1918
source data:-   Map, The Diocese of Carlisle, Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire North of the Sands, scale about 4 miles to 1 inch, by Rev Euston J Nurse, published by Charles Thurnam and Sons, 11 English Street, Carlisle, Cumberland, 2nd edn 1939.
image
NUR1SD59.jpg
"KENDAL"
item:-  JandMN : 27
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   site plan:- Historical Monuments 1936
source data:-   Site plan, uncoloured lithograph, Kendal The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, Kendal, Westmorland, scale about 1 to 290, published by Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, London, 1936.
image  click to enlarge
HMW076.jpg
On p.120 of the Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Westmorland. 
printed, bottom centre  "KENDAL / The PARISH CHURCH of / THE HOLY TRINITY"
RCHME no. Wmd, Kendal 1 
item:-  Armitt Library : A745.76
Image © see bottom of page

 gargoyles

 stained glass

evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
placename:-  Church of the Holy Trinity
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY / / KIRKLAND / KENDAL / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / I / 75420 / SD5168392137"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Parish Church. Established by 1232 (date on indulgence issued for fabric repairs); later medieval additions. Comprehensive C19 restorations in Perpendicular style. Earlier masonry coursed, squared, rubble; later work snecked rubble. Chamfered plinths and stepped buttresses. Graduated slate roofs with gargoyles and pinnacles. Rectangular plan with double aisles; chancel and west tower incorporated internally. West porch; 1934 vestry adjoining north side not of interest. Eastern chapels of Bellingham, Parr, and Strickland families contain some fine tombs and memorials. Memorial by Flaxman on north wall; memorial to George Romney on west wall. One of widest medieval parish churches in Britain (103 ft). For detailed description, history, and plans see: J.F. Curwen "The Parish Church of Kendal" in Transactions of Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian &Archaeological Society, Old Series Vol. XVI, pp.157-220; R.C.H.M. (1936), Westmorland, pp.119-122. Forms focus of churchyard group and major feature on riverside."

evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"MEMORIAL CROSS IN CHURCHYARD TO WEST OF CHURCH PORCH / / KIRKLAND / KENDAL / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 75419 / SD5162692137"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Celtic Cross, late C19. Monolithic slate cross, c10 ft high, set in sandstone block. Erected by the people of Kendal as a memorial to John Cooper, Vicar of Kendal for 38 years (died 1896). Signed at bottom of east face J.W. BROMLEY, KESWICK. Carved interlace and scrollwork decoration on all faces; inscription in low relief to west face. Forms part of churchyard group."

evidence:-   database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"GATE PIERS, GATES, &RAILINGS TO CHURCHYARD ENTRANCE / / KIRKLAND / KENDAL / SOUTH LAKELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 75417 / SD5160592134"
source data:-  
courtesy of English Heritage
"Gate piers, gates, and railings. Erected 1822. Rusticated stone piers, square in plan, with moulded bases; each has stone urn on top of corniced cap. Wrought-iron gates have panelled gateposts with open scrollwork decoration; top and lock rails are similarly ornamented. Wrought-iron railings, c4 ft high, carried on single course of masonry, have square-section spearhead standards set diagonally; fleur-de-lis finials separate sections. Railings and gates are painted black with some of gates' decorative elements picked out in red and gold. Forms part of churchyard group."

 memorials, brasses

evidence:-   old print:- Bogg 1898
source data:-   Print, engraving, Robin the Devil in Kendal Church, Holy Trinity Church, Kendal, Westmorland, by Frank Dean, published by Edmund Bogg, 3 Woodhouse Lane, and James Miles, Guildford Street, Leeds, Yorkshire, 1898.
image  click to enlarge
BGG182.jpg
Included on p.227 of Lakeland and Ribblesdale, by Edmund Bogg. 
item:-  JandMN : 231.82
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Philip/Wilson 1890s
source data:-   Print, engraving, Kendal Parish Church ie Holy Trinity, published by George Philip and Son, London, Philip, Son and Nephew, Liverpool, Lancashire, and Titus Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, about 1895.
image  click to enlarge
PW1E10.jpg
"KENDAL PARISH CHURCH."
item:-  JandMN : 58.11
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- Atkinson 1847 (5th edn 1850) 
placename:-  Kendal Parish Church
item:-  religion
source data:-   Print, woodcut engraving, Kendal Parish Church, Holy Trinity, Kendal, Westmorland, by T W Holme, engraved by George Measom, published by Thomas Atkinson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1850.
image  click to enlarge
AK2E02.jpg
On p.5 of a Handbook to the English Lakes, 5th edn. 
printed at bottom left, right, centre:-  "TWHolme / GEO MEASOM SC. / Kendal Parish Church."
item:-  Armitt Library : A1144.3
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
source data:-   Vignette from a Plan of Kendal by G H Johnson, published in The Annals of Kendal by Cornelius Nicholson, by Hudson and Nicholson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1832.
image  click to enlarge
JSN3Vgn1.jpg
item:-  private collection : 125.1
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
item:-  monument
item:-  religion
item:-  Bellingham
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, monument of Sir Alan Bellingham, Holy Trinity Church, Kendal, published by Hudson and Nicholson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1832.
image  click to enlarge
PR0737.jpg
On p.50 of The Annals of Kendal by Cornelius Nicholson. 
item:-  private collection : 125.10
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old print:- 
item:-  tomb
item:-  religion
item:-  Strickland
source data:-   Print, uncoloured engraving, tomb of Walter Strickland in Holy Trinity Church, Kendal, published by Hudson and Nicholson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1832.
image  click to enlarge
PR0736.jpg
On p.47 of The Annals of Kendal by Cornelius Nicholson. 
item:-  private collection : 125.9
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old map:- Housman 1800 map 2
source data:-   Town plan, uncoloured engraving, Plan of Kendal, scale about 6 inches to 1 mile, engraved by James Lowes, 1798 published by F Jollie, Carlisle, Cumberland, 1800.
image  click to enlarge
HM08Vgn1.jpg
"West View of the Church"
item:-  JandMN : 233.2
Image © see bottom of page

 ring of bells

:-  
1 cross slab grave cover; floor of outer north aisle.

Ryder, Peter: 2001: Cross Slab Grave Covers of Cumbria: Cumbria CC (Carlisle, Cumbria)

incumbents:-  
Kirkebi Kendale, Achard de  1190 -  
Nicholas son of Robert  1228 -  
Pepyn, Roger  1246 -  
Esyngwald, Alan de  1266 -  
Madestan, Walter de  1301 -  
Kirkebi, Roger de  1312 -  
Leynesbury, Thomas de  1366 -  
Greenwode, Thomas  1396 -  
Garsdale, Richard  1421 -  
Bryant, John  1439 -  
William Abbot of St Mary's York  1496 -  
Maynes, Thomas  1520 -  
Pilkington, James  1550 -  
Ashton, Nicholas  1551 -  
Etherington, Ambrose  1562 -  
Heron, Samuel  1591 -  
Tirer, Ralph  1592 -  
Gardener, Francis  1627 -  
Hall, Henry  1640 -  
Massey, Henry  1645 -  
Strickland, John  1656 -  
Brownsword, William  1659 -  
Stanford, Michael  1674 -  
Murgatroyd, Thomas  1683 -  
Crosby, William  1699 -  
Cuthbert, Richard  1734 -  
Symonds, Thomas  1745 -  
Robinson, Henry  1789 -  
Murfitt, Matthew  1806 -  
Hudson, John  1815 -  
Barnes, Joseph Watkins  1844 -  
Cooper, John  1858 -  
Trench, William Robert  1896 -  
Lafone, H P M  1909 -  

 sundial

notes:-  
Described in:-

Butler, Lawrence (ed): 2011: Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne for Cumbria, 1833-1872: CWAAS:: ISBN 978 1 873124 52 9
Extracted from the original notes made by Sir Stephen, now in Deiniol's Library, Hawarden, Flintshire, contact through Flintshire Record Office


photograph
BQE52.jpg  Organ by Bevington and Sons, Soho, London.
(taken 4.3.2009)  
photograph
BNC40.jpg  Organ by Bevington and Sons, Soho, London.
(taken 1.3.2006)  
photograph
CAV65.jpg  Charities board.
(taken 3.6.2014)  
photograph
BVT56.jpg  Angel under the roof of a side aisle.
(taken 28.12.2011)  
photograph
BVT57.jpg  Angel under the roof of a side aisle.
(taken 28.12.2011)  
photograph
BTV54.jpg  Box for:-
"alms bags" (taken 22.12.2010)  
photograph
CAV69.jpg  War memorial plaque, Boer War.
(taken 3.6.2014)  
photograph
CEL12.jpg  Fragment of cross shaft.
(taken 29.12.2015)  
photograph
BJS50.jpg  Gates.
(taken 14.8.2005)  
photograph
BUW50.jpg  Gates.
(taken 3.7.2011)  


photograph
BLQ45.jpg  Coat of arms, Strickland of Sizergh.
(taken 1.3.2006)  
photograph
BLQ46.jpg  Coat of arms, Dowker.
(taken 1.3.2006)  
photograph
BLQ47.jpg  Coat of arms, Bigland.
(taken 1.3.2006)  
photograph
BLQ48.jpg  Coat of arms, Leyburne.
(taken 1.3.2006)  
photograph
BLQ49.jpg  Coat of arms, Fitzhugh.
(taken 1.3.2006)  
photograph
BLQ50.jpg  Coat of arms, Marmion.
(taken 1.3.2006)  
photograph
BLQ51.jpg  Coat of arms, Kendal borough, pew end.
(taken 1.3.2006)  


photograph
BTV55.jpg  Robin the Devil's sword and helmet.
(taken 22.12.2010)  
A royalist, Robert Philipson, known as Robin the Devil, lived on Belle Isle, Windermere. He was besieged here during the Civil War by Parliamentary Forces commanded by Colonel Briggs, the seige broken after eight days by Robert's brother Colonel Huddlestone Philipson. In revenge the brothers tried to kidnap Colonel Briggs while at prayer in Holy Trinity Church, Kendal. They were chased off by the congregation, Robert loosing his sword and helmet, which are displayed here in the church.

notes:-  
A church is record her in the Doomsday Book, but there may have been a church before, in Saxon times. The church was granted to the abbey of St Mary, York, in 1087. After centuries of alteration and repair the last major restoration was in the 19th century.

: : church leaflet

hearsay:-  
Established 1232; later medieval additions; restored in 19th century in perpendicular style.

Curwen, J F:: Parish Church of Kendal: TransCWAAS: old series vol.16: pp.157-220

personal
person:-   author
 : West, Thomas
person:-   clergyman
 : Tyrer, Raulph
person:-    : Strickland Family
place:-   burial place

dedication
person:-    : Holy Trinity
place:-   Kendal / Carlisle Diocese

button to lakes menu  Lakes Guides menu.