Church Heritage Record id18865

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Cowthorpe: St Michael

Name:

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

Cowthorpe: St Michael
Record Type:

A classification of the current status of the building

CCT Church
Church code:

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

Diocese:

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

Leeds
Archdeaconry:

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

Richmond and Craven
Parish:

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

Lower Nidderdale

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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.

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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.

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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

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Summary Description

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The church is built of the local stone, in large smoothly-dressed blocks, and is roofed with stone slates. The tower is the most important architectural feature. The tower has a western arch and eastern window (a reversal of the usual order) and that the western arch is flanked by buttresses and forms a deep recess. Comparable examples are at Swinbrook, Oxon., and Fugglestone, Wiltshire.

Visiting and Facilities

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The church is closed for worship.
Date closed for worship:
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Church Website

Church Website:

www.holytrinitylyonsdown.org.uk

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Sources and Further Information

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Church Buildings Council (2019) Church Bells 3 Bells [Archive/Index]
3 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: SE 426 526

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.

North Yorkshire 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 and buildings of Hall Farm form a group a little distinct from the houses of the hamlet. Coming from the A1, one sees not only the distinctive narrow tower of Cowthorpe but also the very Lincolnshire-looking spire of Hunsingore which lies just the far side of the River Nidd.

Church Plan

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Ground Plan Description and Dimensions

Ground Plan

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

Small aisleless nave and only slightly narrower chancel; south porch, at west; small lean-to chamber on north side, also towards the west; west tower corbelled inwards and supported externally by buttresses extending outwards from west wall.

Dimensions

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Footprint of Church buildings (m2):

Small (<199m2)

Medium (200-599m2)

Large (600m-999m2)

Very Large (>1000m2)

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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.

c. 15th Century. It seems to be all of a piece.

Exterior Description

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

The church is built of the local stone, in large smoothly-dressed blocks, and is roofed with stone slates. The tower is the most important architectural feature. The tower has a western arch and eastern window (a reversal of the usual order) and that the western arch is flanked by buttresses and forms a deep recess. Comparable examples are at Swinbrook, Oxon., and Fugglestone, Wiltshire. 

Within the recess is the west window, under a chamfered four-centred head, consisting of three upper and three lower cinquefoil-headed lights separated by a transom. In the middle stage of the tower are small rectangular deep-splayed openings with wooden lattices on the north and west sides; at the belfry-stage, which is divided from the stage below by a prominently projecting string-course, are two-light cinquefoiled bell-openings contained within squareheaded openings. Move the belfry-stage is a deep parapet, corbelled outwards from the face of the tower, and the parapet is castellated. The tower is much narrower west to east than it is broad.

The south porch and inner south door have triangular-shaped heads. East of the porch, which is also covered with stone slates, is a buttress with a single set-off; then the sole nave south window, of two tall cinquefoiled lights, within a single square head. At the east end of the nave wall is another buttress.

The chancel south wall has two windows of the same character as the nave, though the heads have both been renewed. There is a small south doorway with a two-centred head. The east window is both tall and wide with three principal lights and five above (wide in the centre, smaller at the sides). The lights are all cinquefoiled or (for the smaller upper ones) trefoiled. There is a four-centred head and a hoodmould terminating in blank shields. The single chancel north window is the prettiest in the church: it has two trefoiled lights bursting into flourons for the tracery at the top.

Architects, Artists and Associated People/Organisations

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Building Fabric and Features

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

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Collapse Building Fabric and FeaturesBuilding Fabric and Features
STAINED GLASS

Building Materials

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

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Interior Image

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Interior Description

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

At the west, over the west window, is the round arch on bevelled-out corbels which supports the tower. The reveals of doors and windows are unexpectedly thick. Inside the south entrance the triangular outer order of the doorway is found to have an inner segmental arch; the door itself appears to be ancient. Opposite, the north doorway is blocked but it is of intriguing form: absolutely rectangular, with a stone lintel resting on massive blocks. The priest's doorway on the south side of the chancel is also square-headed to the inside. There is only the most modest diminution in scale from nave to chancel, but there is nevertheless a chancel arch with a single chamfer.

There are various signs of a fairly rigorous 19th century restoration. The walls are unplastered, the pews and stalls of pine; and the chancel and sanctuary are raised in height and paved with red, black and buff encaustic tiles. The tiling in the sanctuary bears the initials and date T J 1864; while a brass plaque on the chancel south wall records that 'This church was re-opened for Divine Service January 13th 1882 after restoration at the expense of Andrew Montagu Esq., Patron.'

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 3)
BELL (2 of 3)
BELL (3 of 3)
CHEST
FONT (OBJECT)
PANELLING (18th Century)
RAIL (Early 17th Century)

Portable Furnishings and Artworks

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

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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: SE 426 526

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.

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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 CCT Church.

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

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

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Burial and War Grave Information

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

It is unknown whether the church or churchyard is consecrated. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard is closed for burial. Work in progress - can you help?
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It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves. Work in progress - can you help?

National Heritage List for England Designations

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There are no Listed Buildings within the curtilage of this CCT Church.

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

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 CCT Church

Churchyard Structures

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

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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.

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Setting Significance Description:
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Fabric Significance Level:
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Fabric Significance Description:
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Interior Significance Level:
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Interior Significance Description:
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Community Significance Level:
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Community Significance Description:
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Church Renewables

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Species Summary

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All of the species listed below have been recorded in close proximity to the CCT 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 0
Total number of animal species 0
Total number of plant species 0
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 0
Total number of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) 0
Total number of ferns 0
Total number of flowering plants 0
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

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If any of the following species have been seen close to the CCT 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 CCT 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 CCT 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 CCT 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 CCT 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.

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WhoActionWhen
Oliver LackAdded SourceThu 24 Nov 2022 14:04:09
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Approximate DateThu 24 Nov 2022 14:03:40
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Summary DescriptionThu 24 Nov 2022 14:03:28
Oliver LackAdded fabric typeThu 24 Nov 2022 14:02:10
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 24 Nov 2022 14:00:37
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 24 Nov 2022 13:59:59
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 24 Nov 2022 13:59:16
Oliver LackAdded interior feature typeThu 24 Nov 2022 13:58:10
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Interior DescriptionThu 24 Nov 2022 13:57:36
Oliver LackModified asset data - Modified the Exterior DescriptionThu 24 Nov 2022 13:55:39
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