Old Cumbria Gazetteer - St Mary, Gosforth


	St Mary, Gosforth
	St Mary's Church
	Gosforth Church
locality:-	Gosforth
civil parish:-	Gosforth (formerly Cumberland)
county:-	Cumbria
locality type:-	church
coordinates:-	NY07220358
1Km square:-	NY0703
10Km square:-	NY00
references:-	: 2005: Diocese of Carlisle, Directory 2004/5

	BNC04.jpg (taken 11.12.2006) CDW06.jpg (taken 6.9.2015)

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. NUR1NY00.jpg "GOSFORTH" item:- JandMN : 27 Image © see bottom of page

	notes about bells

	stained glass

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010 placename:- Church of St Mary
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "CHURCH OF ST MARY / / / GOSFORTH / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / I / 76228 / NY0722203589"
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "Parish Church. An important site since the C8th. Oldest parts of existing fabric are C12; extensively remodelled and extended prior to 1897 when nave was rebuilt, with north aisle and vestry added, by C.J. Ferguson. Older masonry in south nave wall is coursed blocks, later work in snecked rubble. Graduated slate roofs (chancel lower) with stone ridges, copings, and kneelers; gabled bellcote, dated 1897, corbelled out at west end. Nave with north aisle, chancel, and vestries to north. Gabled C19 porch to south door with original C12 north door surround (now blocked) reset to right. Single-light and traceried multi-light windows (some under hoodmoulds) to nave and chancel. Interior: 4-bay north arcade of pointed arches carried between columns with octagonal capitals. Chancel arch springs from (reset?) C12 carved capitals. A large niche at the east end of the aisle houses 2 richly carved hogback tombstones (found in the foundations of the C12 church); other medieval fragments, including cross-heads and tomb slabs, are incorporated into the jambs of the niche, the spandrels above, and the inner walls of the porch. Small C19 octagonal font at the west end. Externally, on the north side of the chancel, is an early C19 memorial to the Hudlestons, John (a land surveyor, died 1834) and his wife Mary (died 1822): Inscription on slate with coat-of-arms on apron below; fluted pilasters support cornice surmounted by low relief carving of woman with anchor. Graded primarily for the numerous early medieval fragments incorporated into the structure."

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "TOOLSHED IN NORTH EAST CORNER OF ST MARYS CHURCHYARD / / / GOSFORTH / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 76229 / NY0727103659"
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "Toolshed; probably c1896 when church underwent major restoration. Coursed, squared rubble; roof not visible. Walls incorporate a number of medieval fragments, including 3 intact carved tomb slabs in west wall; listed primarily for these fragments."

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "WILLIAM DIXONS TOMBSTONE CIRCA 13 FEET TO EAST OF CROSS IN ST MARYS CHURCHYARD / / / GOSFORTH / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 76232 / NY0723603574"
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "Tombstone; 1729. Single slab with ornately shaped head; 2 ft wide ny 2 1/2 ft high. Inscribed (in script): Nigh/ to this place lies the/ lies the body of Willia(m)/ Dixon who depart(ed)/ this life April (the ?)1729 Aged (?) (sic)."

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "ANN SOUTHWARDS TOMBSTONE CIRCA 20 FEET TO SOUTH EAST OF CROSS IN ST MARYS CHURCHYARD / / / GOSFORTH / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 76230 / NY0723403567"
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "Tombstone; 1711. Single slab with chamfered edges and shaped top; 2 ft wide by 2 1/2 ft high. Inscribed (in serif lettering): Ann the/ Wife of Iohn/ Southward of Bank/ House died August/ ye 12 1711 Aged 36/ Yes (sic)."

evidence:-	database:- Listed Buildings 2010
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "THOMAS DIXONS TOMBSTONE CIRCA 3 FEET TO EAST OF CROSS IN ST MARYS CHURCHYARD / / / GOSFORTH / COPELAND / CUMBRIA / II / 76231 / NY0723203572"
source data:-	courtesy of English Heritage "Tombstone; 1729. Single slab with integral moulded plinth. Inscription on fielded panel between fluted pilasters carrying segmental pediment enclosing winged head. 21/4 ft wide by 33/4 ft high. Inscribed (in script): Hear lies th/ body of Tho/mas Dixon/ Son to Tho/mas Dixon /of Windhall/ who diy M/ay 3 1729 Ag/ 17 years (sic)."

evidence:-	old print:- Calverley 1899 item:- stone; Fishing Stone; Hymir; fishing; cross; Warrior's Tomb; Saint's Tomb
source data:-	In the church, The Fishing Stone:- click to enlarge CV1099.jpg Above the divine hart trampes on the worm; beneath a fishing scene from the lay of Hymir. click to enlarge CV1100.jpg item:- JandMN : 190 Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-	old print:- Calverley 1899 item:- stone; Fishing Stone; Hymir; fishing; cross; hogback gravestone; Warrior's Tomb; Saint's Tomb
source data:-	In the church, The Warrior's Tomb:- click to enlarge CV1101.jpg click to enlarge CV1102.jpg click to enlarge CV1103.jpg The Saint's Tomb:- click to enlarge CV1104.jpg click to enlarge CV1105.jpg click to enlarge CV1106.jpg Photographs by W L Fletcher. item:- JandMN : 190 Image © see bottom of page

	cross slab gravestones

	BNC09.jpg Organ, by Conacher and Co, Huddersfield. (taken 11.12.2006) BNC10.jpg Organ, by Conacher and Co, Huddersfield. (taken 11.12.2006) BNC11.jpg Organ builder's label:- "BUILT BY Conacher &Co. Huddersfield, FROM A SPECIFICATION BY Professor Sir Hertebert Oakeley Mus. Doc." (taken 11.12.2006) BRK90.jpg Capital, chancel arch, north side. (taken 14.9.2009) CDW17.jpg Mothers Union banner. (taken 6.9.2015) BNC03.jpg (taken 11.12.2006)

MN photo:-	The turret clock can just be seen in a balcony at the west end of the nave. I am grateful to the clock winder for access.
	It was made by William Potts, Leeds, 1897. There is a double three legged gravity escapement, and a locking plate for the striking.
	CDW04.jpg (taken 6.9.2015) CDW05.jpg (taken 6.9.2015)
	Photography is constrained!

	BQX04.jpg Hogback gravestone. (taken 25.6.2009) BQX05.jpg Hogback gravestone. (taken 25.6.2009) BQX06.jpg Hogback gravestone. (taken 25.6.2009) BNC08.jpg The Fishing Stone: Thor with his hammer, Mjollnir, accompanied by the giant Hymir, is fishing for the World Serpent, Midgardsorm or Jormungand, using an ox head for bait. (taken 11.12.2006) BNC07.jpg Hogback gravestones. (taken 11.12.2006)

	BNC12.jpg Cork oak, Quercus suber or Q x hispanica? the ?only one on the north of England. (taken 11.12.2006) BNC13.jpg Cork oak, bark (taken 11.12.2006)

notes:-	It is possible that a church existed here, wood with wattle and daub, as early as 700. A stone church was built shortly after 1100. This was replaced in the 13th century, using some of the earlier materials in the building. Alterations were made in the 14th century. There was a 'disastrous' reconstruction in 1789 in which its antiquity was effaced, though some early features like the chancel arch remain. In 1858 a north transept was added; various alterations were made during the 19th century; in 1896-97 the nave and north aisle were rebuilt.
	: : church leaflet

	dedication
person:-	: St Mary
place:-	Gosforth / Carlisle Diocese

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