Church Of St Cuthbert

NY 53 NE GREAT SALKELD GREAT SALKELD

6/39 Church of St Cuthbert

27.12.67 II*

Parish church with fortified tower. Late C11 with c.1380 tower; c.1480 and 1674 alterations; 1866 and 1879 restorations. Large blocks of red sandstone, the walls of the tower extremely thick; both tower and chancel with chamfered plinths. Graduated sandstone slate roof with coped gable, kneelers and cross finial. 3-storey square west tower; 5-bay nave with south porch; 2-bay chancel. Tower has small chamfered loops on each face at various levels, the upper west one with cusped head. Clock face on south wall and projecting angle stair turret, all under battlemented parapet with angle spouts. Nave has 1750 porch covering original heavily-carved Cll doorway of 3 orders of zigzag arches, some with carved heads. Roman altar from Old Penrith and fragments of medieval graveslabs in porch. South C19 windows. Blocked north doorway and C19 windows, but an upper C15 window. Walls of nave raised in C15. Chancel has round-headed priest's doorway, rood-light C15 window and other 2-light windows. 3-light east window looks C17. Interior of tower has vaulted basement. 2 window splays have lintels made of 3 medieval graveslabs. Iron-bound 'yett' gate complete with drawbars. Upper-floor fireplace has reused medieval graveslab to an Inglewood forester c.1290. Nave has late medieval timber roof. One window has its internal medieval splay. C19 and C20 Stained glass, one a memorial to Bishop Nicholson, who was vicar here. White marble wall plaques, one to Bishop Bowstead of Lichfield, born in Great Salkeld in 1801. Wall-mounted C17 armour. Earlier roofline can be seen in west wall. Chancel has effigy moved from nave to Thomas de Caldbec, Rector 1319. Medieval graveslab built into floor and another slate slab of 1490 to Stephen Close, Rector (brass inscription now illegible).

Listing NGR: NY5516536764