Stainmore, St. Stephen

This tiny church is located high above the Eden Valley on South Stainmore, and is reached by minor roads signposted to "Barras" or "South Stainmore" off the A685 - the Brough to Kirkby Stephen road. The A685 is picked up from the A66 junction at Brough.

When Barras is reached, turn left (north) at an unsignposted crossroads. The church is about ½ mile along this undulating single-track road - NOT a place to visit in winter conditions, the Stainmore area having a reputation for severe weather!

The church building dates back to 1600, and was originally built as a school under the will of Sir Cuthbert Buckle. He was educated at Brough-under-Stainmore (as Brough was then known), and as a young man he walked to London and became a rich man through his dealings as a Vintner. In 1593/1594, whilst in office as Lord Mayor of London, he was knighted by the Queen.

In 1608, the school building was consecrated by the Bishop of Carlisle and became Stainmore Chapel, subordinate to Brough. The schoolmaster was also the curate on Sundays.

In 1699, Thomas, Earl of Thanet and patron of the living, repaired the chapel, which was becoming derelict. He added a schoolhouse to the Chapel's northwest corner. In 1842/43 the chapel was again rebuilt, at a cost of £800, by the then perpetual curate, the Revd. James Sawrey. Financial assistance came from a later Lord Thanet, and the building seated 130 people, by including a gallery. The Revd John Wharton removed the gallery in 1879.

For the arrival of the Revd. Thomas Westgarth as vicar (1911 - 29), the church was refurbished having again fallen into a state of disrepair. It was formally re-opened in 1913 and Mr Westgarth is remembered in the north window. The church also contains other interesting memorials to priests, local physicians and the war dead of the area in windows and on some brass work.

The last Vicar of Stainmore, the Revd. Dickens, left in about 1955 and the parsonage became Vicarage Farm. The adjoining school educated the younger children of the area until 1970, having been rebuilt following a fire earlier in the century. Nowadays, the children of South Stainmore are educated at Brough or Kirkby Stephen.

St. Stephen's Church is now a daughter church to St. Michael, Brough, and is part of the Benefice of Brough with Stainmore, Warcop and Musgrave.

Postcode: CA17 4DJ

Opening Times
Daily (possibly closed for the first two weeks of June)

Telephone: 017683 41176

Service Times

1st Sunday	2.00pm	Holy Communion
3rd Sunday	2.00pm	Evening Prayer (lay-led)