Armathwaite, Christ and St Mary

A church has stood on this site since 1402 but by the 17th century the building had fallen into a severe state of disrepair, perhaps as a result of Border raiding - the nearby Armathwaite Castle being a fine example of a pele tower.

In 1660 or thereabouts, the church was restored by Richard Skelton of Armathwaite Castle who in his will of 1668, endowed the church with £100 and the building still stands today much as it did at its restoration.

The church stands on an elevated site on the western slope of the Eden valley, overlooking the old part of the village and eastwards to the Northern Pennines beyond. It is grade II listed and as befits its history, is small with nave and chancel all in one. The windows are round headed and three of them house some most attractive stained glass. The beautiful east window is of special note, having been crafted in the workshops of William Morris. The left light, designed by J Henry Durle, depicts the Salvator Mundi and the right light depicting St Mary was designed by the renowned pre-Raphaelite artist, Sir Edward Burne-Jones. There is also stained glass in the southern and western walls, that in the southern wall, after a painting by Rubens, representing St Martin dividing his cloak amongst the beggars.

On the north wall is a magnificently embroidered wallhanging which reflects the 600 years of the church's history and was completed in 2002 by the ladies of the parish to celebrate six centuries of Christian witness in the village.

The small organ, consisting of two manuals and pedals was built by Jardines of Manchester in 1903 and has recently been fully rebuilt.

Opening Times
Daily

Telephone: 016974 7254

Service Times

1 st Sunday	11am	Holy Communion
3rd Sunday	9.30am	Holy Communion