Asby: St Peter

Name:
Asby: St Peter
Record Type:
Church
Church code:
607006
Diocese:
Carlisle
Archdeaconry:
Carlisle
Parish:
Asby

Statutory Designation Information

Listed Building?
This is a Grade II Listed Building
View more information about this Listed Building on the National Heritage List for England web site
Scheduled Monument?
There is no Scheduled Monument within the curtilage or precinct

National Park

The church is in the following National Park: Yorkshire Dales

Conservation Area

The church is in the following Conservation Area: Great Asby

Heritage At Risk Status

On Heritage At Risk Register?
This church is not on the Heritage at Risk Register
 

Approximate Date

Approximate Date:
Victorian/Pre-WWI

Exterior Image

Exterior image of 607006 St Peter's Asby
Caption:
Exterior image of 607006 St Peter's Asby
Description:
Photograph of the outside of the church and churchyard.
Year / Date:
Unknown
Copyright:
John Bevan
Originator:
John Bevan

Summary Description

The earliest reference to a church at Asby is found in a Charter written circa 1200AD. The site may be even earlier, as Peter was a common dedication from the 7th century on. By 1861 the church was in a poor state of repair, and so was dismantled, with the foundation stone for a new church being laid in 1865. The Bishop of Carlisle consecrated the building on September 27th 1866. Both the church and lychgate are now Grade II listed buildings. When the church was rebuilt an additional piece of land was incorporated for burials, between the original wall and the church bridge, and it is possible that the lychgate originates from this time. By 1919 it was necessary to extend the churchyard even further and land to the east was enclosed, the work being undertaken by men of the parish. A stone set in the wall commemorating this is dated June 18th 1919. A church has been present in Great Asby since medieval times, although it is uncertain how many preceded the present building. Built in 1866, the well-built church is designed in Gothic Revival style almost certainly using some stone from its dismantled predecessor. It leans towards the Decorated period with geometric and flowing tracery set into pointed windows. The west end is attractively modelled with buttresses wrapping around a deeply rebated pointed arch that houses the two light window that has a five pointed floral star in the head. A double bell belfry rises above the buttressed gable. A substantial gabled porch with a deep roof is attached to the south aisle. This arrangement reflects the appearance of the former church. The east window has three lights with flamboyant tracery based on a geometric pattern in the head. The window sits in top of a three step cill course that adds visual interest adding form to the elevation. Internally, the round pillars with decorated capitals run along the south side of the nave. The stone work is banded in alternating light and dark pink to create something of a High Gothic tone, an approach that is extended to include the use of carved heralds and angels as corbels for the roof timbers. There is an Aumbrey in the north wall, a sedilia in the south wall and the stained glass, designed by Burrows and Leonard Walker, provides colour. The pulpit and font are both finely carved and enrich the quality of the church which has remained remarkably unchanged, including original patterned radiators in the chancel. The lychgate is robust, attractive and fits the character of the church.

Visiting and Facilities

The church is open for worship.
Church open to visitors during daylight hours Live music and concerts Guidebook available Wheelchair access ramp and accessible toilets available Visitor toilets and baby changing facilities available Assistance dogs welcome
 

Church Website

Church Website:
Work in progress - can you help?

Sources and Further Information

John Bevan (Unknown) Exterior image of 607006 St Peter's Asby [Digital Archive/Graphic material]
Exterior image of 607006 St Peter's Asby
CWGC (2016) Commonwealth War Graves Commission CWGC Unique File Reference Number: 3376 [Bibliography/Data]
Number of War Graves: 1
Church of England (2021) A Church Near You https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/12201/ [Digital Archive/Index]
View information on worship and access at this church
Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 2 Bells [Archive/Index]
2 Bells