the heritage of allonby...

St Kentigern's Church, Aspatria (NY 147 419)

An avenue of yews leads up to the Victorian church of 1846, which incorporates features from the older church in its construction including a Norman doorway and arch, a decorative font and medieval grave slab. Elsewhere, an early Anglian cross shaft, a Viking hogback tomb and fragments of stonework are reminders that this was a place of worship long before the Normans arrived (probably dating back to St Kentigern in the 5th century). The Musgrave chapel contains memorials to many members of the family who lived at nearby Hayton Castle. The churchyard also has some interesting features, notably a holy well where St Kentigern baptised his converts, a 14th-century dovecote, and a fine replica of the Gosforth Cross, erected in memory of W S Calverley (1847-1898), archaeologist and vicar of Aspatria, who is buried nearby.

St Mungo's Church, Bromfield (NY 176 470)

A 12th century Norman church on a site that may date back to Roman times. St Mungo's Well, a short distance south of the church, may hold the key to its antiquity as it is thought that the upwelling spring was a pagan Celtic site used by the Romans and ‘christianised' by early missionaries such as St Mungo (usually known as St Kentigern outside Scotland) who would have baptised converts here. Inside the church, the faces carved into base of the chancel arch - one of a Roman monk, the other of a Celt - are believed to symbolise the union of Christian and pagan religions. Among other carved stone relics are four fine medieval grave slab covers.

St Mary's Church, Gilcrux (NY 117 382)

The name Gilcrux means ‘church on a hill', a description exemplified by the position of this 12th-century church on a prominent knoll. The village once belonged to Calder Abbey and, although St Mary's dates from this era, it is likely that the church stands on a site of pre-Christian significance. Several springs issue from the hillock and a Celtic-type head is built into the exterior east wall. Internally, the simple white painted interior exudes light and calm, and has a large oval hole (or squint) in the chancel wall to ensure that the service could be seen by the entire congregation.