Caton-with-Littledale,
St Paul
It is believed that a church existed at Caton-with-Littledale as early as 1230, during the reign of Henry III. A remnant of this time is the old doorway built into the west wall of the church (facing the iron gates to Caton Green road). It is of a 12th century date and built of gritstone, three feet seven inches wide and six feet high, with circular angle shafts and square inner jambs supporting a sculptured arch, apparently mutilated at some time. The doorway is built up with a number of sculptured stones discovered in the masonry of the former building in 1865. One of the stones is of early 14th century date, carrying a cross and sword, emblems of the Crusaders. Probably it once marked the grave of one of the Knights of St John, who at one time held land in Caton.
The church was rebuilt towards the end of the 15th or at the beginning of the 16th century, and certainly during the reign of Henry VIII, and the fine tower dates from then.
During the 18th and early 19th century the inside of the church was dominated by a three decker pulpit at the east end.
During the 18th and early 19th century, the incumbents of Caton did not live in the parish. In 1841, however, the new incumbent, Edward Thurtell, a hard-working Evangelical priest, decided he must live in the parish and minister to its mill workers and mill owners. It may have been at this time that plans were hatched to rebuild the church itself.
The new building, designed by Austin and Paley of Lancaster, was consecrated in 1865. Its proportions and decorations perfectly match the existing tower and churchyard. The windows provide very fine examples of the stone mason's art, particularly the transoms which form the lower part of the tracery. An altar replaced the three decker pulpit at the east end when the new church was built. The font, carved from solid stone, is a reminder of the tomb in which Christ was laid after his death.
Postcode: LA2 9JG
Telephone: 01524 770512
Opening
Times
Daily, 9am - 5pm (April - October)
Daily, 9am - 4pm (October - April)
Service Times
Sunday |
8am |
Holy Communion |
10.30am |
Family Communion |
|
|
|
6.30pm |
Evening Worship |