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THE CHURCH IN MUNCASTER


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On this page will be gathered an assortment of information about the church in Muncaster parish- not just the building, but the religious life of the area.

Notes from Arthur G. Loftie, (Ed.) "The Rural Deanery of Gosforth..." (2nd. Ed. 1889)

A gold coin bearing the image of the Emperor Theodosius (AD 375) was found during some excavations made under the old tower of the castle... This discovery was made about the end of the last century; it seems to shew that this building may have had also a Roman origin, some even supposing that it was from this castrum that the parish name was derived. ...

The church, which is dedicated to SS. Michael and All-Angels, is an ancient edifice... It consists of a nave, north transept, (added at the last restoration) and a chancel. A bell turret at the west end contains two bells, one bearing the name of William Pennington, and the other the inscription, "S. Maria ora pro nobis". There is also a small turret over the chancel arch for a sanctus bell. The nave is no doubt older than the chancel. There is a piscina, or credence niche on the south wall at the east end of the nave, pointing to the fact that an altar had stood formerly against the east wall, some of which was cut away when the present chancel was built. But possibly this was only a side altar, when there was but a small Norman chancel arch. A north door, now walled up, is clearly traceable... The east window is a very handsome early perpendicular one (possibly dating from 1450)... There is also a beautiful stained glass window in the nave, it was placed as a memorial to Henry Caddy, by his friends and neighbours, in 1887.

The whole building was restored in 1874 by Josslyn, Lord Muncaster, at a cost of £2,540. To commemorate this restoration the west window (formerly partially closed) was filled with coloured glass by the parishioners, the subject being the last judgement.

Over the north chancel door is the Latin inscription "Ita vive quod summum nec metues [sic] diem nec optes." The font was given to the church by Gamel Lord Muncaster, in 1860. The organ was given by the present Lord Muncaster in 1883...

The present total income of the Vicarage is £222 per ann., which includes an ancient payment of £10 paid out of the Muncaster estate, which was its only endowment since the impropriation of tithes to Conishead until the formation of the Queen Anne's Bounty Board. In 1723 an augmentation of £200 was made by that body. With this money in 1741 a farm was purchased called West Clint, near Sedbergh, in Yorkshire. It consists of 88 acres 1 rood and 8 perches; gross estimated rental £31 10s. Further augmentations were made in 1759, 1791, 1797, and 1813; a sum of £800 being granted in four sums of £200 out of the Royal Bounty Fund, and a sum of £1,534 7s 4d reduceds, representing a grant of £1,200, made in the year 1816 by the Queen Anne's Bounty Board out of the Parliamentary Grant Fund... The income derived from these sources being about £70 per ann.
In 1879 the Ecclesiastical Commissioners gave a grant of £1,500 to meet a benefaction of a like sum by Josslyn Lord Muncaster. Part of that sum is invested in the following ground rents on the Woodgrange Estate, Forest Gate, Essex.
  Nos. 10 and 11 Richmond Gardens, £11 11s 0d each.
  Nos 74 and 76 Claremont Road, £8 16s 0d each.
  Nos 64 and 66 Windsor Road, £9 16s 0d each.
These were bought at 24 1/2 years purchase for £1,477 4s 0d and realize £60 6s 0d per ann., the Commissioners holding the remainder.


From J. Charles Cox, "County Churches: Cumberland and Westmorland" (1913)

Chancel, nave, N. transept, S. porch, and gable turret for two bells. Drastic restorations were carried out and the transept built in 1874. Parts of the walling are as early as Norman days, but almost the whole of the present details and windows are of the Perp. style. There are a large number of brass inscriptions and mural monuments commemorative of the Peningtons, Barons Muncaster. The most remarkable of these is thus given in Jefferson's History of Allerdale Ward (1842):
"Of your charitie preye for the sowle of Syr John de Penyngton, sonne of Syr Alan de Penyngton who hadde to Wyfe Elizabeth dowter of Syr Nichols. de Radcliffe de derwentwater a woman of noble blode. Þis Syr John resseved holie Kynge Harry whyche was Henry ye Sixtte at Molcastre 1461. Kynge Harry gave Sir John a brauve workyd Glasse Cuppe, with his Rod before Þat whyllys the familye shold keep hit unbrecken thei sholde gretelye thrif whyche Cuppe is kalled the lucke of Molcastre. He was a grate Captain and heded the left winge of the armie agayne the Scotties: whylles Erle of Northumberland heded the mayne bodie."
On the S. side of the churchyard stands a cross-shaft of red sandstone, 54in. hign, of bold interlacing and plait work; antiquaries differ as to its age and character, but it is probably of the Irish-Viking influence of the 10th cent. In front of it, on a modern socket base, is affixed a wheel cross-head, which probably formed its summit [see W.S. Calverley, "Notes on the Early Sculptured Crosses... in the Present Diocese of Carlisle"].