Church Heritage Record 607003

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Appleby: St Lawrence

Name:

This is the church’s legal name as given by the Church Commissioners.

Appleby: St Lawrence
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

Church
Church code:

This is a unique identification number supplied to each church building by the Church Commissioners.

607003
Diocese:

Name of diocese in which the church building is located at the time of entry.

Carlisle
Archdeaconry:

Name of archdeaconry in which the church building is located at the time of entry

Carlisle
Parish:

This is the legal name of the parish as given by the Church Commissioners.

Appleby

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Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?

The decision to put a church building on the National Heritage List for England and assign it a listing grade is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is normally based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on the historic environment.

This is a Grade I Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?

The decision to schedule a feature (building, monument, archaeological remains, etc.) located within the church building’s precinct or churchyard is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision is based on recommendations made by Historic England, the government’s adviser on cultural heritage.

There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

National Parks are areas of countryside that include villages and towns, which are protected because of their beautiful countryside, wildlife and cultural heritage. In England, National Parks are designated by Natural England, the government’s advisor on the natural environment.

The church is not in a National Park

Conservation Area

Conservation areas are places of special architectural or historic interest where it is desirable to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of such areas. Conservation Areas are designated by the Local Council.

The church is in the following Conservation Area: Appleby

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Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?

The Heritage at Risk programme is run and managed by Historic England, the government’s advisor on cultural heritage. It aims to protect and manage the historic environment, so that the number of ‘at risk’ historic places and sites across England are reduced.

This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
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Approximate Date

Approximate Date:

Selecting a single date for the construction of a church building can sometimes be very difficult as most CoE buildings have seen many phases of development over time. The CHR allows you to record a time period rather than a specific date.

The CHR records the time period for the building’s predominant fabric as opposed to the date of the earliest fabric or the church’s foundation date.

Medieval

Exterior Image

St Lawrence exterior from south
Caption:

603242 

St Lawrence exterior from south
Description:

It seems to be the wrong photograph. Provided coordinates come up with another church on geograph.org.uk

Year / Date:

2011, April 06

08.04.2011
Copyright:

Keltek Trust

Originator:

Keltek Trust

John D Tillotson, PCC

Summary Description

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Awonderful town church that sits within its graveyard behind the early 18th century classic cloistered entrance designed by Robert Smirke. The church is sited at the northern end of the town (which, in the centre, retains its medieval layout), counterbalancing Appleby Castle which is at the other end of the main street. The church building suffered from the ravages of border wars and, as a consequence, has been substantially repaired on several occasions. The church is predominantly 14th and 15th centurty with the lower stage of the tower and the porch, dating from the 12th and 13th century, being the earliest portions. The exterior conforms to Perpendicular patterns with the top part of the tower and the clerestory being particularly distinctive with gargoyles and battlements. The nave arcade comprises characteristic Decorated quatrefoil pillars supporting pointed arches but with an early 19th century ceiling. The chapel and chancel were built in the 17th century through the patronage of Lady Anne Clifford whose mother’s magnificent alabaster and black basalt effigy makes a delightful contribution to the character of the church. This piece of high art is the perfect counterpoint to the timeworn and gnarled C16 timber screens positioned behind the choir stalls. Another point of interest in the church are the boxed-in early 18th century corporation pews where the town's civic leaders and officers worshipped. Probably the most significant fixture is the 16th century organ, reputed by some to be the oldest working instrument in the country. It is a visual focal point with its renaissance decorations. The attractive Frosterley ‘marble’ font, prominent monuments to Lady Anne Clifford and her mother, other monuments to important residents of the town, some ancient wooden screens and good stained glass are also of interest.

Visiting and Facilities

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The church is open for worship.
Church open to visitors on most days between 8am and 5pm - it is popular with tourists and visitors Bell ringing Live music and concerts Regular choir Guidebook available Wheelchair access ramp available
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

http://www.achurchnearyou.com/607003

Sources and Further Information

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/12199/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
John D Tillotson, PCC (08.04.2011) St Lawrence exterior from south [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
St Lawrence exterior from south
John Barnes (architect) () Layout plan [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Layout plan
John D Tillotson (PCC) (08.09.2015) St Lawrence interior from west [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
St Lawrence interior from west
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 8 Bells [Archive/Index]
8 Bells

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: NY 683 204

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Administrative Area

County:

The administrative area within which the church is located.

Cumbria County

Location and Setting

This field describes the setting of the church building, i.e. the surroundings in which the church building is experienced, and whether or not it makes a positive or negative contribution to the significance of the building.

The church is sited at the northern end of the town (which, in the centre, retains its medieval layout), counterbalancing Appleby Castle which is at the other end of the main street. The church sits behind the early 18th century classic cloistered entrance designed by Robert Smirke, in a closed churchyard situated in a loop of the River Eden

Latitude: 54.578178
Longitude: -2.491501

Appleby town centre, through the cloisters at the foot of Boroughgate. At the opposite end of the town from the Castle.

Deanery: Appleby, Benefice: The Heart of Eden

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: No

Carlisle Diocese Code: 0030

Church Plan

Layout plan
Caption:
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Layout plan
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
This file is 1819 L1 (St L layout plan) When viewed in a larger size, this file is more readable.
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
John Barnes (architect)

Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

Provide as written description of the ground plan of the church building and well as its dimensions.

Work in progress - can you help?

Dimensions

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

42m from west end of vestry to east wall

17m from north to south wall

Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

Work in progress - can you help?

Description of Archaeology and History

This field aims to record the archaeological potential of the wider area around the building and churchyard, as well as the history of site.

The original St. Lawrence’s was probably built around 1115 although no masonry of this period survives today. The foundations of the Norman north wall were however reportedly uncovered in 1856, showing that this building was only slightly smaller than the present structure. In 1115 the church, and perhaps the Castle Keep and the bridge, would probably have been the only stone buildings in town. The church is stated to have been rebuilt by the king’s command in 1178, and the lower stage of the present west tower and the base of the east wall of the chancel date from this period – so that the church had clearly attained its present length before 1200. (from ‘A History of Appleby’ by Sir Martin Holdgate)

Exterior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the exterior of the church building and the churchyard.

(From Pevsner – Cumbria – 2010) Externally an unimproved Perpendicular town church (though the aisle windows are renewals of 1863), low-roofed, battlemented, aisled from end to end. With a solid West tower of Westmorland type (Brough, Kendal) with two unlinked belfry lights each side. The clerestory over the nave with its gargoyles and arched three-light windows, round-topped but cusped, must be 16th  or 17th century. In fact the bottom part of the tower is Norman (see the deeply splayed window in its North wall), the South porch entrance with its dogtooth and hollow chamfers is reused C13, and the South aisle wall is Decorated.

 

A wide-plan medieval church dating from mid-12th century with 13th century porch, but mainly 14th and 15th century with mid 17th and mid 19th century restorations, vestry added in 19th century. Squat west tower, nave with clerestory, chancel, full length north and south aisles, south porch and vestry in northwest corner. (from 2015 Quinquennial report)

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Who:
John Barnes
Role:
Architect / Surveyor ICM55
From:
To:
Contribution:
Quinquennial architect

Building Fabric and Features

This field is an index of the building and its major components

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BELL TOWER (COMPONENT) (1833)
CLOISTER

Building Materials

This field is an index of the building’s material composition

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Collapse Building MaterialsBuilding Materials
LEAD
SANDSTONE (12th onwards)
SANDSTONE (12th onwards)
SANDSTONE

Interior Image

St Lawrence interior from west
Caption:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
St Lawrence interior from west
Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Year / Date:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
08.09.2015
Copyright:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Originator:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
John D Tillotson (PCC)

Interior Description

This field aims to record a written description of the interior of the church building.

(From Pevsner – Cumbria – 2010) Inside, the five-bay arcades are early C14 Dec. They have quatrefoil piers, the foils more than semi-circular and with fillets, and double-chamfered arches. The tower arch, off-centre, is of the same type; so is the W bay of the S aisle half embracing the tower, and the chancel arch and the two-bay S chancel chapel. The N chapel arcade with its flat square capital on its octagonal pier must go with Lady Anne Clifford’s family chapel, built in 1655-6. C. B. Martindale, carrying out repairs in 1959, found an inscription on a beam: ANN COUNTESSE OF PEMBROKE IN ANO 1655 REPAIRED ALL THIS BUILDING. The nave ceiling, with rather parsimonious Gothick panelling and roses and what looks like an iron truss at the W end, was done by Christopher Hodgson in 1830-1. His chancel ceiling was removed presumably in 1959. Bracing arches either side of the chancel arch.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings

This field is an index of the building’s internal, architectural components. This includes its internal spaces and those areas’ fixtures and fittings (building components which are securely fixed to the church or cathedral).

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Collapse Internal Fixtures and FittingsInternal Fixtures and Fittings
BELL (1 of 6)
BELL (2 of 6)
BELL (3 of 6)
BELL (4 of 6)
BELL (5 of 6)
BELL (6 of 6)
BELL (Unused 1)
BELL (Unused 2)
EFFIGY (14th century)
FONT (OBJECT) (19th century)
ORGAN (OBJECT) (17th century)
PLAQUE (OBJECT) (18th century tablet)
PLAQUE (OBJECT) (Heelis family)
SCREEN (1500)
STAINED GLASS (WINDOW)
TOMBSTONE (Margaret, Countess of Cumberland)
TOMBSTONE (Lady Anne Clifford)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

This field is an index of the building’s movable, non-fixed furnishings and artworks.

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Collapse Portable Furnishings and ArtworksPortable Furnishings and Artworks
BOOK (1631)

If you notice any errors with the below outlines of your connected churchyards, please email heritageonline@churchofengland.org with the corrections needed.

This could include information on new churchyards, edits to the boundaries shown, or different land characteristics. 

We are working on adding the consecrated land found within local authority cemeteries, and in time, this data will be shown on the map.

Grid Reference: NY 683 204

To zoom into an area hold the SHIFT key down then click and drag a rectangle.

Ecology

This field aims to record a description of the ecology of the churchyard and surrounding setting.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust survey (27/07/2009) found 36 plant species. For a full species list, use this link; https://www.dropbox.com/s/n72kbfykte8ui1w/Appleby%20St%20Lawrence.xlsx?dl=0

Ecological Designations

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The everyday wildlife of burial grounds means much to those who visit and cherish them but many burial grounds are so rich in wildlife that they should be designated and specially protected. Few have the legal protection of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or, in the case of local authority owned cemeteries, Local Nature Reserve. This makes it even more important that they are cared for and protected by the people looking after them.

Many have a non-statutory designation as a recognition of their importance. These non-statutory designations have a variety of names in different regions including Local Wildlife Site, County Wildlife Site, Site of Importance for Nature Conservation or Site of Nature Conservation Importance (Local Wildlife Site is the most common name). Their selection is based on records of the most important, distinctive and threatened species and habitats within a national, regional and local context. This makes them some of our most valuable wildlife areas.

For example, many burial grounds which are designated as Local Wildlife Sites contain species-rich meadow, rich in wildflowers, native grasses and grassland fungi managed by only occasional mowing plus raking. When this is the case, many animals may be present too, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. This type of grassland was once widespread and has been almost entirely lost from the UK with approximately 3% remaining, so burial grounds with species-rich meadow managed in this way are extremely important for wildlife.

These designations should be considered when planning management or change.

If you think that this or any other burial ground should be designated please contact Caring for God’s Acre (info@cfga.org.uk) to discuss. Many eligible sites have not yet received a designation and can be surveyed and then submitted for consideration.

There are no SSSIs within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local nature reserves within the curtilage of this Church.

There are no Local Wildlife sites within the curtilage of this Church.

Evidence of the Presence of Bats

This field aims to record any evidence of the presence of bats in the church building or churchyard.

The church has no evidence of bats

Burial and War Grave Information

This field records basic information about the presence of a churchyard and its use as a burial ground.

The church/building is consecrated.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard has been used for burial.
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The churchyard is not used for burial.
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The churchyard is not closed for burial.
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The churchyard does not have war graves.

National Heritage List for England Designations

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There are no Scheduled Monuments within the curtilage of this Church.

Designation TypeNameGrade  
Listed Building War Memorial In St Lawrence's Churchyard, Appleby II View more

Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees

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Churchyards are home to fantastic trees, in particular ancient and veteran trees which can be the oldest indication of a sacred space and be features of extraordinary individuality. The UK holds a globally important population of ancient and veteran yew trees of which three-quarters are found in the churchyards of England and Wales.

There are more than 1,000 ancient and veteran yews aged at least 500 years in these churchyards.

To put this in context, the only other part of western Europe with a known significant yew population is Normandy in northern France, where more than 100 ancient or veteran churchyard yews have been recorded.

Burial grounds may contain veteran and ancient trees of other species such as sweet chestnut or small-leaved lime which, whilst maybe not so old as the yews, are still important for wildlife and may be home to many other species.

Specialist advice is needed when managing these wonderful trees. For more information or to seek advice please contact Caring for God’s Acre, The Ancient Yew Group and The Woodland Trust.

If you know of an ancient or veteran tree in a burial ground that is not listed here please contact Caring for God’s Acre.

There are currently no Ancient, Veteran or Notable trees connected to this Church

Churchyard Structures

This field is an index of the churchyard’s components.

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Collapse Churchyard StructuresChurchyard Structures
WAR MEMORIAL (WW1)

Significance

Setting Significance Level:

Significance is the whole set of reasons why people value a church, whether as a place for worship and mission, as an historic building that is part of the national heritage, as a focus for the local community, as a familiar landmark or for any other reasons.

High
Setting Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The centre of Appleby still follows its medieval layout. The church is the Western anchor of the town, at the opposite end of the main street (Boroughgate) to the castle, in a loop of the river Eden. The church was built on the site of an older church.
Fabric Significance Level:
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High
Fabric Significance Description:
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The oldest parts of the church are from the 12th century. The size of the church reflects the importance of the town in the 12th century.
Interior Significance Level:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
High
Interior Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The internal layout of the church reflects the broad Anglican tradition. It is an attractive historic space which includes prominent monuments to Lady Anne Clifford and her mother. There are several other old monuments. There are still box pews and larger Civic and Castle pews. The organ is of interest due to its age and fine case.
Community Significance Level:
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Moderate
Community Significance Description:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
The building has been a community focus for over 800 years. It sits in a prominent position, at the opposite end of the main street to the castle. It is normally open every day, it is the focus of a vibrant Christian community, and it is regularly visited by locals. The community use for ‘rites of passage’ services is strong – funerals are often very well attended. The church is often full for the main Civic events of the year – the Civic service and remembrance service. The church is on various tourist routes (such as the ‘Lady Anne’s Way’ long-distance path and the Settle-Carlisle Railway) and frequently attracts visitors. Because of the annual ‘Horse Fair’ in Appleby, the church is a national focus of the national travelling community. There is a Memorial to a Mr. Heelis (a headmaster) who taught George Washington’s brother & father. This is of interest to American visitors. Limited diversification opportunities at present but imminent proposed changes will add opportunities for all-age and community activities

Church Renewables

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
Open the map of church renewable installations
Solar PV Panels:

This information forms part of the Shrinking the Footprint project.

No
Solar Thermal Panels:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Bio Mass:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Air Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Ground Source Heat Pump:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
Wind Turbine:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No
EV Car Charging:
Missing help text - to be added by an administrator
No

Species Summary

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the Church . A few species which are particularly threatened and affected by disturbance may not be listed here because their exact location cannot be shared.

NOTE: Be aware that this dataset is growing, and the species totals may change once the National Biodiversity Network has added further records. Species may be present but not recorded and still await discovery.

CategoryTotal species recorded to date
TOTAL NUMBER OF SPECIES RECORDED 80
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 3
Total number of mammal species 0
Total number of birds 0
Total number of amphibian and reptile species 0
Total number of invertebrate species 0
Total number of fungi species 77
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 3
Total number of Gymnosperm and Ginkgo 0

Caring for God’s Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.

To learn more about all of the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.

‘Seek Advice’ Species

Missing help text - to be added by an administrator

If any of the following species have been seen close to the Church, it is important to seek advice from an expert. You will need to know if they are present now, and to follow expert recommendations when planning works. All of these species have specific legal protection as a recognition of their rarity. All of them are rare or becoming increasingly endangered, so it is important to ensure that management and other works do not adversely affect them. In addition, there may be things you can do to help these special species. N.B. Swift and House Martin do not have specific legal protection but are included, as roof repair works often impact breeding swifts and house martins which is against the law.

This is not a complete list of protected species, there are many more, but these are ones that are more likely to be found. All wild birds, their nests and eggs are also protected by law, as are all bats and veteran trees. In a few cases, species are considered particularly prone to disturbance or destruction by people, so the exact location of where they were recorded is not publicly available but can be requested. These ‘blurred’ records are included here, and the accuracy is to 1km. This means that the species has been recorded in close proximity to the Church, or a maximum of 1km away from it. As these ‘blurred’ species are quite mobile, there is a strong likelihood that they can occur close to the Church. To learn about these special species, use the link provided for each species in the table below

One important species which is not included here is the Peregrine Falcon. This is protected and advice should be sought if peregrines are nesting on a church or cathedral. Peregrine records are ‘blurred’ to 10km, hence the decision not to include records here. Remember too that species not seriously threatened nationally may still be at risk in your region and be sensitive to works. You should check with local experts about this. You may also need to seek advice about invasive species, such as Japanese knotweed and aquatics colonising streams or pools, which can spread in churchyards.

N.B. If a species is not recorded this does not indicate absence. It is always good practice to survey.

No species data found for this record

Caring for God’s Acre can help and support you in looking after the biodiversity present in this special place. If you know that any of these species occur close to the Church and are not recorded here, please contact Caring for God’s Acre with details (info@cfga.org.uk).

To find out more about these and other species recorded against this Church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas.

The church was the centre of many people’s lives and remains a guide to their cares and concerns. Glimpses into those lives have often come down to us in the stories we heard as children or old photographs discovered in tattered shoe boxes. Perhaps your ancestors even made it into local legend following some fantastic event? You can choose to share those memories with others and record them for future generations on this Forum.

Tell us the story of this building through the lives of those who experienced it. Tell us why this church is important to you and your community.

Upload your photographs, share your videos, or compose your story below using a Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus account.

Refresh
WhoActionWhen
Morven AnsonModified QI inspectionWed 24 May 2023 15:05:53
Morven AnsonAdded QI inspectionWed 24 May 2023 15:05:18
Morven AnsonCreated asset source linkWed 24 May 2023 15:05:18
Morven AnsonModified renewableWed 24 May 2023 14:59:38
James MilesDeleted interior feature typeThu 11 Mar 2021 12:30:58
Rosaleen LaneAdded image of the interior of the buildingWed 20 Jan 2021 17:19:39
Rosaleen LaneAdded a plan of the buildingWed 20 Jan 2021 17:11:35
Rosaleen LaneAdded image of the exterior of the buildingWed 20 Jan 2021 17:04:36
Rosaleen LaneModified asset data - Modified the Significance descriptionWed 20 Jan 2021 17:00:46
Rosaleen LaneAdded fabric typeWed 20 Jan 2021 16:57:28
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