'Ireby Old Church'
Location : Ireby
Map - Ordnance Survey - NY 224394
The chancel is all that remains of the former parish church of Ireby, which was built in the
middle of the 12th Century. A new parish church was built a mile away in 1845, dedicated to
St James.
The old church fell into disrepair until 1880 when the Ecclesiastical Commission carried out
extensive repairs.
It was declared redundant in 1971, and a program of repairs undertaken. There is one service
per year on the last Sunday in August. The church's oustanding architectural features
include a beautiful arcade in the East wall, showing three round-headed lancets seperated by
Transitional Norman capitals which date from about 1170. Over the door is a tympanum
which dates from the late 12th Century. The remarkable stone font, and several other items,
are now in the new St James Church. two nave arcade columns were recently reinstated in the
churchyard after serving as gateposts in the village.
The Church is now in the care of the Churches Conservation trust.
Aerial photo by Simon Ledingham.
13 Jun 2005.
