Grange over Sands, St Paul

This church belongs to the Windermere Deanery of Carlisle Diocese in Cumbria. Since 1997 it has been part of the Team Ministry of Cartmel Peninsula, which includes the parishes of Allithwaite, Cartmel, Field Broughton, Flookburgh, Grange and Lindale.

In 1851 a Miss Sarah Anne Clarke, a holiday-maker from Liverpool appealed for funds to 'erect and endow a church at Grange containing not less than 200 sittings, at an estimate cost of £2,100.' She was concerned that most of the inhabitants of the town excused themselves from attending any place of worship because the roads leading to the parish church at Cartmel and the chapel at Lindale were in such a bad state. Two years later, on 13 October 1853, the church consisting of a nave, sanctuary, porch and baptistry was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester.

In 1857 the railway came to Grange and the town began to develop. In 1861 a north aisle was added, and in 1867 a south aisle. In 1875 the chancel was lengthened by 15 feet and the organ and organ chamber were built. Major improvements were made in 1932 when the chancel was enlarged, the south aisle lengthened and better vestries built. In 1950 the pews were replaced with new ones in oak, and the flooring re-laid with oak blocks – donated by Col A T P Porritt in memory of his wife and of his son, a Member of Parliament and the first officer to be killed in action in May 1940. He also provided funds for the west porch, churchwardens' stall, baptistry and font, and for the carved oak panelling – a special feature of the church.

Interesting memorials include the oldest – to Sarah Anne Clarke, to the Revd Wilson Rigg, the first incumbent whose coach was overturned while crossing the sands from Lancaster to take up his position, and to Evan Arther Leigh who died on board the SS Lusitania, the first ship to be sunk by a German submarine torpedo in WWI. The organ was designed by George Rathbone, a well-known musician of Cartmel.

The church is situated at the top of the main street in Grange over Sands, on Crown Hill, beside the clock tower. The Parish also owns the small Fell Church situated on the road over the Fell to Carmel, and a separate Parish Hall on Kents Bank Road in the town.

Postcode: LA11 6BD

Telephone: 01539 533 511

Website: www.grangepcc.co.uk

Opening Times
Daily, 9am – 5pm

Service Times

1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday	8am	Holy Communion
1st Sunday	10.45am	Family Service
2nd, 3rd & 4th Sunday	10.45am	Parish Communion
5th Sunday	10.45am	Matins
Monday - Thursday	8am	Morning Prayer
	5pm	Evensong
Wednesday	10am	Holy Communion