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St Mary, Longsleddale
St Mary's Church
Longsleddale Church
locality:-   Longsleddale
civil parish:-   Longsleddale (formerly Westmorland)
county:-   Cumbria
locality type:-   church
coordinates:-   NY50070289
1Km square:-   NY5002
10Km square:-   NY50
references:-   : 2005: Diocese of Carlisle, Directory 2004/5


photograph
BRH80.jpg (taken 27.8.2009)  
photograph
BRH83.jpg (taken 27.8.2009)  

evidence:-   old map:- OS County Series (Wmd 27 11) 
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.
"Church (Per Curacy) / Grave Yard / Endowed School"

evidence:-   old map:- 
placename:-  St Mary's Church
source data:-   image
C5E015.jpg
"St. Mary's Church"

 old parish registers (formerly )

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
J5NY40SE.jpg
church 
item:-  National Library of Scotland : EME.s.47
Image © National Library of Scotland

evidence:-   old text:- Housman 1800
source data:-   Guide book, Descriptive Tour, and Guide to the Lakes, Caves, Mountains ..., by John Housman, published by F Jollie, Carlisle, Cumberland and C Law, Ave Maria Lane, London, 1800; published 1800-21.
Page 70:-  "... Soon after our entrance into the valley, we pass a small chapel, where the inhabitants of the dale, issuing from their cottages, assemble to offer up their public devotions to the Almighty."

evidence:-   old map:- Hodgson 1828
placename:-  Long Sleddale Chapel
source data:-   Map, hand coloured engraving, 4 sheets mounted together on linen and rolled, Plan of the County of Westmorland, scale about 1.25 inches to 1 mile, by Thomas Hodgson, engraved by W R Gardner, Harpur Street, London, published by Thomas Hodgson, Lancaster, and perhaps by C Smith, 172 Strand, London,1828.
image
HDG6lsl2.jpg
map courtesy of Mark Cropper
"Long Sleddale Chapel"
item:-  private collection : 371
Image © see bottom of page Note the old school beside the church. 

evidence:-   old map:- OS 1881-82 New Series (outline edition) 
source data:-   Map, engraving, area north of Kendal, Westmorland, New Series one inch map, outline edition, sheet 39, scale 1 inch to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, 1881-82.
image
O21NY50B.jpg
, "Ch."
item:-  JandMN : 61
Image © see bottom of page

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
NUR1NY50.jpg
"LONG SLEDDALE"
item:-  JandMN : 27
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   old postcard:- 
source data:-   Postcard, black and white photograph of St Mary's Church, Longsleddale by Simcoe and Sons, Kendal, 1920s.
image  click to enlarge
PH0036.jpg
"Longsleddale Church"
"Simcoe & Son Kendal."

courtesy of Michael Wooldridge
item:-  private collection : 138
Image © see bottom of page

evidence:-   descriptive text:- 
source data:-   Royal Commission on Historical Monuments in England: 1936: Inventory of the Historical Monuments in Westmorland: HMSO "PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY stands near the middle of the parish. It was formerly a chapel of Kendal and was rebuilt and made parochial in 1712. The church was entirely rebuilt in 1863 but retains from the older building the following:-"
"Fittings - Locker: In vestry - with carved and panelled oak door having the initials and date R. and M. L. 1662, probably a spice cupboard from a house. Plate: includes a cup and cover-paten of 1571, with that date on the cover and with a band of engraved ornament on the bowl, also a pewter dish and flagon. Seating: In nave - two stools with turned legs, late 17th or early 18th century."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Ffinch 1983
source data:-   Book, Kendal and the Kent Valley, by Michael Ffinch, published by Robert Hale, London, 1983.
"... Longsleddale was one of the chapelries of Kendal Parish: there were twenty-four altogether. It is fairly certain there would have been a small chapel in the valley in medieval times, for a community was active in the wool industry by the end of the thirteenth century. In 1297 there was a fulling-mill at Sadgill .... Although the dead would have been taken to the parish church in Kendal for burial, it is reasonable to suppose they would not have had to travel so far to Mass. It is known that a chapel was rebuilt and a graveyard consecrated in 1712, ... the present building dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was completed in 1863, and is one of the churches of the United Benefice of Skelsmergh, Selside and Longsleddale."


photograph
BJH01.jpg  The bell.
(taken 10.2004)  
photograph
BRM79.jpg  The bell.
(taken 2009)  courtesy of John Streul

evidence:-   map:- OS Six Inch (1956) 
placename:-  St Mary's Church
source data:-   Map series, various editions with the national grid, scale about 6 inches to 1 mile, published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, Hampshire, scale 1 to 10560 from 1950s to 1960s, then 1 to 10000 from 1960s to 2000s, superseded by print on demand from digital data.
image
SINY5002.jpg
"St Mary's Church"

incumbents:-  
Noble, John  1670 -  
Cowperthwaite, Robert  1674 -  
Hayton, Jonathan  1682 -  
Jackson, William  1692 -  
Thomson, Thomas  1694 -  
Mackreth, Anthony  1696 -  
Wilkinson, John  1706 -  
Atkinson, Edmund  1709 -  
Birket, William  1712 -  
Bowness, Richard  1713 -  
Kitchen, Philip  1718 -  
Alexander, Matthew  1720 -  
Dawes, Peter  1722 -  
Bateman, Robert  1724 -  
Gaythorp, William  1727 -  
Hodgson, James  1732 -  
Rittson, George  1737 -  
Willan, Thomas  1741 -  
Atkinson, John  1742 -  
Hodgson, John  1744 -  
Monkhouse, Matthew  1747 -  
Greenwood, Edward  1798 -  
Walker, Robert  1845 -  
Dent, William  1862 -  
Sharples, J H  1872 -  
Read, A P  1875 -  
Lesh, Edward  1880 -  
Burrows, W  1884 -  
McCall, John H Grice  1902 -  

evidence:-   old newspaper:- Z8900705.txt
item:-  chapel salarytithes
source data:-   Z8900705.txt
Westmorland Gazette
Transcription from the Westmorland Gazette 5 July 1890 
page 6:-  "... These [the statesmen] were the men who were true supporters of Church and state. They built the original chapel, and imposed upon their farms a chapel salary, which can be traced to the year 1727, as the following entry in the church-book, signed James Hodgson, admitted curate Nov. 20, 1732, will show:- "Anno Domini 1727. For the benefit of posterity I have below mentioned how every estate in Longsleddale is charged with the Chappel Sallary." Then follows a list:- Imprimis James Grahame, Esq., for Arncrah 3s. 7d. (This place Arncrah was evidently part of the Forest Hall estate jutting on to Swinkle Crag.) All the rest bear the present names and similar amounts. One "wizard," Richard Lickbarrow, paid 2s. 4d. for the estate of Mirthwaite. So his supposed connection with the devil did not induce him to rob God of his dues. Surely those good old statesmen would say that the modern Conservatives were Radicals if they could be told that they refused chapel salary and looked forward to the extinction of tithes. The chapel salary was only five pounds a year; but when a sheep could be bought for 1s. and a hen for 1 1/2d. five pounds a year was a very considerable income. ..."

evidence:-   records:- Curwen 1926
item:-  chestparish chestspice cupboard (?); communion platechalice
source data:-   Records Relating to the Barony of Kendale, supplementary vol.3, edited by John F Curwen, published by Titus Wilson and Son, Kendal, Westmorland, 1926.
CURWEN01.txt
"1845 October 17 : The Rev. Robert Walker (of Woolsthorpe, Grantham) on being instituted to the perpetual curacy of Longsleddale in succession to Mr. Edward Greenwood, took and subscribed the usual oaths and signed the usual Declaration. K. Indict. Book, 1839-52."
"..."
"1862 October 17 : Rev. William Dent took the usual oaths and subscribed the Declaration on his appointment to the Perpetual Curacy of Longsleddale. K. Minute Book, 1859-75."
"..."
"1863 June : The old church was taken down and the present one erected by Lady Howard; a carved oak door in the vestry bears the date 1662, an oak chest is dated 1719, while the Communion plate includes a silver chalice and cover-paten dated 1571. On the chalice are four marks:- 1, Fleur-de-lis and two stars; 2, Leopard's head crowned; 3, Lion passant; 4, Small black-letter O [see page image] being the London date letter for 1571-2."

evidence:-   records:- Curwen 1926
placename:-  Longsleddale Chapel
item:-  swearing
source data:-   Records Relating to the Barony of Kendale, supplementary vol.3, edited by John F Curwen, published by Titus Wilson and Son, Kendal, Westmorland, 1926.
CURWEN01.txt
"1712 : Longsleddale Chapel rebuilt and burial ground consecrated."
"..."
"1741 April 10 : Ric. Hall of Longsleddale, husbandman, was convicted of swearing one profane oath in the chapel of Longsleddale. K. Indictment Book, 1738-50."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Wilson 1912
item:-  cupboardspice cupboardchestparish chestchaliceburial
source data:-   Guide book, Longsleddale, by F M Wilson, published by T Wilson, Kendal, Westmorland, 1912.
WILSON1.txt
"The church of St. Mary's was erected in 1863 by Lady Howard, on the site of an earlier building. A carved oak door opening to a recess in the vestry bears the date 1662, and there is an oak chest dated 1719. The Communion Plate includes a silver Chalice dated 1571. The chapel of Longsleddale was licensed for a place of burial by W. Dawes, Bishop of Chester, in 1712."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Bulmer 1880s (1st edn 1885/Wmd) 
source data:-   Series of books, each the History, Topography, and Directory of a county in the NW, mostly by T F Bulmer, published by T Bulmer and Co, Manchester, Lancashire, 1880s; 2nd editions 1900s-10s.
"The church, which stands near the centre of the dale, is a neat edifice, rebuilt in 1863 by the late Hon. Mrs. Howard of Levens Hall. The living is a Perpetual Curacy in the gift of the vicar of Kendal, and worth L125, derived chiefly from rent of land purchased with various grants from Queen Anne's Bounty and other sources. the present incumbent is the Rev. W. Burrows, B.A."

evidence:-   descriptive text:- Whellan 1860
source data:-   Book, History and Topography of the Counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland, by William Whellan, published by W Whellan and Co, Pontefract, Yorkshire, 1860
"..."
"THE CHAPEL"
"Long Sleddale chapel stands near the centre of the vale. It is a small building, erected in 1712, when the burial-ground was also consecrated. The living has been several times augmented. In 1713 it received L80 from the heir and four daughters of Henry Holme; and in 1746, 1773, and 1775, three sums of money of L200 each from the governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, and a subscription of L200, making altogether L800, laid out in the purchase of land in Long Sleddale,, Selside, and Lambrigg, now let for about L50 a year. The total income of the living is L88. The vicar of Kendal is patron. The registers commence in 1670."
"INCUMBENTS.- Matthew Monkhouse, 1747; Edward Greenwood, 1798; Robert Walker, 1845."
"There is no parsonage."

evidence:-   old text:- Nicolson and Burn 1777
item:-  Queen Anne's Bounty
source data:-   Book, History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmorland and Cumberland, 2 volumes, by Joseph Nicolson and Richard Burn, published by W Strahan and T Cadell, Strand, London, 1777.
pp.133-134  "The chapel stands about the middle of the dale, and was made parochial by bishop Dawes in 1712. The ancient salary thereof is 5l 2s 10d."
"In the year 1713, four sisters of Henry Holme of Long Sleddale deceased gave 5s each, and Anthony Dennison heir at law to the said Henry Holme gave 60l, wherewith an estate in Long Sleddale was purchased, which was a customary estate; and the infranchisement thereof was purchased by the then curate out of of the mesne profits: And the estate is now worth about 10l a year."
"In 1746, an augmentation of 200l of queen Anne's bounty by lot fell to this chapel, which was laid out in the purchase of a freehold estate in Long Sleddale, now worth 12l a year ot upwards."
"So that the whole annual revenue is about 27l a year."

 roof repairs 2009

 window repairs 2009

 sundial


photograph
BRH85.jpg  The banner inscription painted on the chancel arch was probably done when the church was built, 1863?
(taken 27.8.2009)  
photograph
BRH84.jpg  Millennium Banner; the names on the side panels are of families who live in the valley; Andrews, Barrow, Bennett, Boyd, Bretherton, Coates, Cooper, Dales, Dixon, Farmer, Fishwick, Hubbard, Leybourne, Mercer, Richards, Simpson, Streule, Sutton, Thornton, Todd, Tyson, Waine, Walshaw, Whitworth, Wilson.
(taken 27.8.2009)  
photograph
BRG69.jpg  Spice cupboard, relocated to the left of the altar.
(taken 3.8.2009)  
photograph
BSR49.jpg  Lord's Prayer and Creed.
(taken 2.5.2010)  
photograph
BSR50.jpg  Ten Commandments.
(taken 2.5.2010)  
photograph
BRG67.jpg  Chest.
(taken 3.8.2009)  
photograph
BRG68.jpg  Inscription on chest:-
"1719 / LS" (taken 3.8.2009)  
photograph
BRG70.jpg  Chest
(taken 3.8.2009)  
photograph
BRG71.jpg  Inscription on chest:-
"GA / 1882" (taken 3.8.2009)  
photograph
BRG66.jpg  Gravestone:-
"SACRED / to the memory of / JAMES MATTINSON, late of Sadgill, / who died March 1st. 1835. / Aged 78 Years. / Also of / AGNES MATTINSON, his wife, / who died June 20th. 1806, / Aged 48 Years. / ..." (taken 3.8.2009)  
photograph
BSM22.jpg (taken 11.4.2010)  


photograph
BVN54.jpg  courtesy of John Bennet


photograph
CDQ04.jpg  1950s?
 courtesy of Nial Barnes

hearsay:-  
The church has a silver chalice, dated on the cover
"1571"

notes:-  
Registers date from 1670, the available records are:-
baptism registers - 1670-1993
marriage registers - 1671-1977
banns registers - 1824-1992
burial registers - 1712-1993
The Old Chapel Book, which runs from 1670-1812, states when various curates take office. (The names of incumbents on a list in the church does not match exactly.)
References

Whitehead, Henry, Rev: 1894=1895: Westmorland Parish Registers: TransCWAAS: OS vol.13:: pp.125-141; Longsleddale p.135
: 1998 (3rd edn): Cumbrian Ancestors, Notes for Genealogical Researcher: Cumbria County Council, Archive Service (Carlisle, Cumbria)

notes:-  
The opening of the new church, 28 January 1864, is reported in the Westmorland Gazette 30 January 1864.


Ward, Humphrey, Mrs: 1888: Robert Elsmere
Described in chapter 2:-
"... The ecclesiastical revival of the last half-century has worked its will even in the remotest corners of the Cumbrian country, and soon not a vestige of the homely worshipping-places of an earlier day will remain. Across the road, in front of Long Whindale parsonage, for instance, rose a freshly built church, also peaked and gabled, with a spire and two bells, and a painted east window, and Heaven knows what novelties besides. The primitive whitewashed structure it replaced had lasted long, and in the course of many generations time had clothed its moss-grown walls, its slated porch, and tombstones worn with rain in a certain beauty of congruity and association, linking it with the purple distances of the fells, and the brawling river bending round the gray enclosure. But finally, after a period of quiet and gradual decay, the ruin of Long Whindale chapel had become a quick and hurrying ruin that would not be arrested. When the rotten timbers of the roof came dropping on the farmers' heads, and the oak benches beneath offered gaps, the geography of which had to be carefully learnt by the substantial persons who sat on them, lest they be overtaken by undignified disaster; when the rain poured in on the Communion Table and the wind raged through innumerable mortarless chinks, even the slowly-moving folk of the valley came to the conclusion that "summat 'ull hev to be deun." And by the help of the Bishop,, and Queen Anne's Bounty, and what not, aided by just as many half-crowns as the valley found itself unable to defend against the encroachments of a new and 'moiderin' parson, 'summat' was done, whereof the results - namely, the new church, vicarage, and schollhouse - were now conspicuous."
"..."

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

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