Location : Ireby
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 229408
According to Sir Nikolaus Pevsner, this church is one of the architectural sensations of Cumbria. This is not immediately obvious from the outside, but once inside you see what he means, when you find yourself in a steeply arched stone tunnel vault, like nothing else in England. This is supported on massive stone walls about 3 feet thick, buttressed on the East and West sides.
The Church contains several interesting and colourful stained glass windows. The window on the South side of the nave, of St Paul with female Virtues is by Charles Kempe, and the lower west window by another successful 19th Century artist, Thomas Willement.
The Church is Perpendicular, dating from about 1400, although there was an earlier Norman Church before.It is interesting from the outside, with gargoyles peering down from the parapet.There is a small tower, with a door leading to the roof of the North transept.
Restoration of this Church was completed in 1991 with the help of English Heritage, the Historic Churches Trust and local people.
The East Window - The Ascension by William Wailes
The steeply arched stone tunnel vaulted ceiling
West Window - Zacharius, Amos, Jeremiah, and Coats-of-Arms
The sick, the lame, the blind, heled by Jesus, by William Wailes.
Acts of Charity by William Wailes.
Photos by Simon Ledingham.
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