Matterdale Church

Matterdale Church is a Grade II* church dating from 1573, with the tower added in 1848. It is constructed of stone rubble with slobbered mortar and has a slate roof. The church features a single-vessel nave and chancel, along with a west tower. The north elevation has five bays, with windows that include wooden cross-mullions and small-paned glazing with opening lights, as well as a roof light. The south elevation is similar, featuring a gabled porch between the first and second bays, which has a pointed entrance with a fanlight. There is a datestone between the fourth and fifth bays, possibly from a gateway, inscribed: "IW CHURCHWARDEN/1686/CS MASON," inserted in 1848.

The tower is characterized by diagonal buttresses and a saddleback roof with crow-stepped gables, along with triangular-headed bell openings that have slate louvres. The east elevation displays a gable cross and a straight-headed window. Attached to the wall is a memorial with a swan-necked pediment and slate panel commemorating Margaret Dawson, wife of a local bone setter, who died in 1728.

Inside, the church features massive fish-bone trusses with diagonal struts, with one at the east end inscribed: "MDXXXX/XXIII LPIALWPI/W" (LP 0 Lancelot Pattinson). The pews are likely from around 1750, although one is dated 1686. The font is baluster-shaped and probably dates to the late 17th century; there is also an octagonal font at the west end, brought from Greystoke church, with an uncertain date. The two-decker pulpit with a tester and reading desk is formed from a three-decker pulpit. The sanctuary includes a choir pew from 1881 facing a late 17th-century altar and a three-sided altar rail with turned balusters and a moulded top rail. The east window features stained glass by Kempe from 1881, depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds. This church is a notable example of a traditional Lakeland church that retains many interesting features.