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:
Bowl barrow 850m WSW of Yanwath Woodhouse FarmAskham Fell stone alignmentFour funerary cairns and a surrounding cairnfield on Threepow RaiseSt Ninian's preconquest monastic site, site of nucleated medieval settlement, St Ninian's Church and churchyardStrickland's Pele Tower and Penrith CastleRound cairn 660m north east of The Cockpit, Askham FellRing cairn on Knipescar CommonRound cairn 50m north east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellSkirsgill Romano-British enclosed stone hut circle settlement, Romano-British farmstead, and Romano-British regular aggregate field systemRound cairn on Askham Fell, 335m north of the Cop StoneMelkinthorpe medieval settlement, part of its associated open field system and the site of Melkinthorpe HallRing cairn east of Threepow RaiseRound cairn 520m north east of The Cockpit, Askham FellRound cairn 475m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellRound cairn 580m north east of The Cockpit, Askham FellRound cairn west of Riddingleys Top, Askham FellBridge over Heltondale Beck 250yds (230m) SSW of WidewathStanding stone 180m NNE of SkirsgillRound cairn 280m south-east of The Cockpit stone circleRound barrow 150m east of Scarside PlantationSettlement 1/3 mile (540m) ENE of Brougham CastleRomano-British settlement and regular aggregate field system north of Yanwath WoodBrougham Roman fort (Brocavum) and civil settlement and Brougham CastleBridge over Heltondale Beck 550ft (170m) S of WidewathSettlement 100yds (90m) SE of Sceugh FarmRound cairn on Askham Fell, 270m north of The Cop StoneRound cairn 680m ENE of DalefootTowtop Kirk early Christian enclosureMoated site east of Newton ReignySlight univallate hillfort in Scarside PlantationThe Countess PillarRoman road and enclosures SE of FrenchfieldThe Old Kiln, Wetheriggs PotteryMoated site and annexe east of Setterahpark WoodCastlesteads multivallate prehistoric defended enclosureKing Arthur's Round Table hengeLong cairn 330m east of MossthornRound cairn 285m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellBowl barrow 350m north east of The WreayTwo standing stones and a round cairn south of CrooklandsSite of Catterlen Old HallStone bridge, Cawdale BeckLinear stone bank on Askham FellThe Giant's Thumb - Anglian high cross in St Andrew's churchyard, PenrithRound cairn 490m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellTwo round cairns 415m and 420m NNE of The Cockpit, Moor DivockLong cairn 370m ESE of Mossthorn FarmRing cairn on Askham Fell including The Cop StoneRomano-British settlement at Cragside WoodRing cairn on Askham Fell and four adjacent stonesRound cairn 515m south east of White Raise round cairn, Askham FellRound cairn on Heughscar HillThe Giant's Grave - Two Anglian cross-shafts and four hogback stones in St Andrew's churchyard, PenrithStone circle 800m east of Wetheriggs PotteryBowl barrow 80m east of Scarside PlantationThe Cockpit stone circle and seven adjacent clearance cairns, Moor DivockRing cairn on Knipescar Common south of Inscar PlantationEamont BridgeWhite Raise round cairn, Askham FellRoman marching camp 450yds (410m) NE of BrovacumCatterlen Hall tower houseRound cairn 490m ENE of Rough Hill TarnSewborrans standing stone 400m south west of SewborwensMayburgh hengeClifton Hall towerLittle Round Table hengeLong barrow on Trainford Brow.
