Church Of The Holy Paraclete

NY 64 NE KNARESDALE WITH KIRKHAUGH KIRKHAUGH

18/147 Church of the Holy Paraclete

GV II

Parish church. 1869,by the Rector,Octivius 'James On a medieval site. Squared rubble with stone dressings, slate roof. Simple rectangular plan with small vestry on north which has catslide roof. Stepped clasping buttresses at the angles, each carried up to a separate pyramidal cap; steeply-pitched roof. South wall has C14-style doorway with one lancet to the west and 3 to the east, all with chamfered hoodmoulds. 3 similar lancets on the north. The west end has a re-set C13 window of 2 pointed lights with a pierced quatrefoil over, from the east end of the old church, with C19 quatrefoil window above. Gable- end belfry on tall corbels has small pointed openings and swept octagonal turret with gabled faces carrying a fleche. The east end, with 3 stepped lancets above a moulded string course, carries a similar but smaller turret with a tall finial cross. Vestry with small lancets and pointed chamfered doorway.

Interior: continuous space. The lack of fitted seating, James' intention front the first, accentuates the height of the building. Hammerbeam roof. Broad shouldered-arched recess opposite the south door. The eastern lancets have moulded trefoil rear arches; these and the triple sedilia have Frosterley marble shafts. Double-chamfered arch on heavy moulded corbels to vestry. Octagonal bowl and base of the font are medieval; perhaps C13. Marble tablet with urn, on the south wall, to William Randal Featherstonehaugh d. 1807.

The church is said to have been designed by the Rev. James (who also made additions to Clarghyll Hall, Cumbria) after he had visited churches in the Black Forest.

Listing NGR: NY6993549413