St Michael’s Church at Lowther by munki-boy
St Michael’s Church at Lowther
St Michael’s Church at Lowther is in The Lake District National Park in England.
The church of St. Michael at Lowther, twelfth and thirteenth century in origin but rebuilt in the seventeenth century, and completely remodelled in the nineteenth century. It has been suggested as the site of a monastery, but this is unconfirmed.
The listing includes a twelfth century cross and a seventeenth century mounting block in the church grounds, as well the nineteenth century mausoleum for the Lowther family. The late seventeenth century gate piers are also listed.
“Three pre-conquest decorated hog-back tombstones are located within the churchyard, and there used to be two cross-shafts inside Lowther Castle, which are probably of eighth century date” (Bailey and Cramp 1984).
The hogback stones and cross parts are now found within the public area of the church.
Church of St Michael, Lowther Park, Askham
Parish church. C12 and Cl3 with extensive late C17 rebuilding; C19 alterations and additions. Partly-rendered sandstone rubble walls with eaves cornice and raised red sandstone quoins. Graduated greenslate roof with coped gables. 4-bay nave with west porch and aisles; central square 3-storey tower with north and south transepts; single-bay chancel. Nave is externally late C17 with moulded-surround windows in aisles and in clerestory. C19 gabled stone porch. Tower is partly medieval and in late C17 had a domed cupola, removed in C19 and replaced by an extra storey and a battlemented parapet. C19 triple lancet windows. Transepts are late C17, that to south with Lowther arms in pediment. Line of original transept roof can be seen in tower wall above. Chancel has C17 priest’s doorway and tall round-headed windows, 2 in east wall. North vestry. Interior of porch has free-standing remains of 3 hog-back coffin lids and a saxon cross shaft. Interior: north arcade has 3 C12 round piers with carved capitals, supporting round arches. Similar round arches of south arcade are supported by C13 octagonal piers. Font c.1686 inscribed TA. Various marble wall plaques to members of the Lowther family and C20 heraldic stained glass in south windows. Pointed tower arch. Hanoverian Royal Arms of the 3rd period (1816-37) on gallery and pater boards above. In the south transept are elaborate monuments to various members of the Lowther family: an alabaster effigy of Sir Richard Lowther 1608, with accompanying wall-mounted heraldic plaque; John Viscount Lowther 1700, marble effigy and wall plaque; elaborate wall plaque of 2 busts with garlands and railed backdrop to John Lowther and Lord Lowther 1675. More C19 and C20 marble and brass monuments and wall plaques to members of the Lowther family in south transept and in chancel. Dado panelling looks C17 but altar rail is C19 imitating C17. See RCHM, Westmorland, 1936, plates 13, 44, 96 and 138.
Created: 28 October 2020 Edited: 29 November 2023
St Michael’s Church at Lowther
Walks in St Michael’s Church at Lowther
Local History around St Michael’s Church at Lowther
There are some historic monuments around including:
Round cairn 660m north east of The Cockpit, Askham FellThe Cockpit stone circle and seven adjacent clearance cairns, Moor DivockSettlement 1/3 mile (540m) ENE of Brougham CastleSite of Catterlen Old HallThe Old Kiln, Wetheriggs PotteryRing cairn on Askham Fell and four adjacent stonesSkirsgill Romano-British enclosed stone hut circle settlement, Romano-British farmstead, and Romano-British regular aggregate field systemBridge over Heltondale Beck 250yds (230m) SSW of WidewathRoman marching camp 450yds (410m) NE of BrovacumBowl barrow 350m north east of The WreaySlight univallate hillfort in Scarside PlantationRound cairn 280m south-east of The Cockpit stone circleTwo round cairns 415m and 420m NNE of The Cockpit, Moor DivockMoated site and annexe east of Setterahpark WoodLong cairn 330m east of MossthornThe Countess PillarRomano-British settlement and regular aggregate field system north of Yanwath WoodFour funerary cairns and a surrounding cairnfield on Threepow RaiseBowl barrow 850m WSW of Yanwath Woodhouse FarmRound cairn 520m north east of The Cockpit, Askham FellStanding stone 180m NNE of SkirsgillLong cairn 370m ESE of Mossthorn FarmRound cairn west of Riddingleys Top, Askham FellRound cairn 50m north east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellAskham Fell stone alignmentRound cairn on Askham Fell, 335m north of the Cop StoneStrickland's Pele Tower and Penrith CastleKing Arthur's Round Table hengeRing cairn on Askham Fell including The Cop StoneRing cairn on Knipescar Common south of Inscar PlantationStone bridge, Cawdale BeckCatterlen Hall tower houseMoated site east of Newton ReignyRing cairn on Knipescar CommonRound barrow 150m east of Scarside PlantationRound cairn 490m ENE of Rough Hill TarnMelkinthorpe medieval settlement, part of its associated open field system and the site of Melkinthorpe HallRoman road and enclosures SE of FrenchfieldRomano-British settlement at Cragside WoodBrougham Roman fort (Brocavum) and civil settlement and Brougham CastleRound cairn 490m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellStone circle 800m east of Wetheriggs PotterySettlement 100yds (90m) SE of Sceugh FarmEamont BridgeThe Giant's Thumb - Anglian high cross in St Andrew's churchyard, PenrithRound cairn 285m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellLong barrow on Trainford BrowWhite Raise round cairn, Askham FellBridge over Heltondale Beck 550ft (170m) S of WidewathLinear stone bank on Askham FellRound cairn on Heughscar HillRound cairn 580m north east of The Cockpit, Askham FellCastlesteads multivallate prehistoric defended enclosureRound cairn 515m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellBowl barrow 80m east of Scarside PlantationTwo standing stones and a round cairn south of CrooklandsThe Giant's Grave - Two Anglian cross-shafts and four hogback stones in St Andrew's churchyard, PenrithLittle Round Table hengeTowtop Kirk early Christian enclosureSt Ninian's preconquest monastic site, site of nucleated medieval settlement, St Ninian's Church and churchyardSewborrans standing stone 400m south west of SewborwensRing cairn east of Threepow RaiseRound cairn on Askham Fell, 270m north of The Cop StoneRound cairn 680m ENE of DalefootClifton Hall towerRound cairn 475m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellMayburgh henge.
