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St Martin's church

The site of the present day St Martin's church, which is in Bowness on Windermere, had a previous chapel which dated back to 1203, and which was originally under Kendal. However, in 1480 this earlier church was burnt down and all that remained was the font, the base of the tower and it's low external door. Also, as indicated by the height of the door archway on the west face of the tower, an ancient floor existed five feet below the present floor. The parishioners rebuilt their church on the original site after the fire and in 1483 it was completed and reconsecrated.

This church was a simple rectangle, with a squat tower at the west end, which is slight offset, and nave and aisles. Apparently the south porch was thought to have been added around fifty years later. To make the most of the light, the whole church was roughcast and limewashed. One of the most unusual features of this church is the low pitched lead covered roof - this is unusual as most churches in The Lakes have slate roofs. However, this enabled the parishioners to build a much larger church as slate is heavier. Apparently, the local carrier, named Bellman, brought the lead on his packhorses, free of charge. He was also one of the many local benefactors who made the rebuilding of the church possible.

This 15th century church's interior has, from time to time according to need and taste, been altered. Apparently, there was a rood loft near the east end and, a gallery at the west end in 1812. Below the text from St Paul's Letter to Timothy, stood a three decker pulpit near the middle of the church and was surrounded by box pews. St Martin's has some unique features such as the decorative murals, the 16th century instructive sayings and the quotations from the Bible which are on the walls and the roof beams.

However, the only remaining part of the original pattern of decorating can be found above a window in the south aisle. The present church owes much of it's appearance to the 1870 restoration and enlargement by the architects Paley and Austin of Lancaster. To the east the chancel was extended, as demonstrated by the differing roof beams, all the seating was renewed and the tower was heightened. Most of the mural decorations, which were done by Mr Henry Hughes of Frith St, London, including the two large paintings in the chancel, date from this time. These helped to relieve the bareness of the smooth replastered walls and pillars.

In 1874 Frederic Claves detailed the 1870 restoration and described the old church in a book. Profits from the sale of this book was used in the repayment of the costs of the restoration. The East Window, which is St Martin's outstanding treasure, was beautifully restored by Mr Hughes in 1870, under the supervision of the Society of Antiquaries, when the new chancel was built. Details of this spectacular stained glass can be found near the communion rail. A number of major improvements were made to the church during the 20th century, these included releading of the roof and interior redecoration following the 1870 scheme, enlargement of the Choir Vestry, removal of pews at the back of the church to create a social area, provision of the Memorial Chapel with attendant alterations and conversion of the old choir vestry into a children's wing whilst the robing room was established behind the St John's screen.

As we entered the new millennium an ambitious programme of renovation and improvement was started. This included the restoration of the East Window and murals, construction of the Curwen Screen in front of the tower and the new inner doors, total reflooring with a new under floor heating system, restoration of the organ and the restoration and rehanging of the eight bells. Interestingly, the tomb of a young African slave from Abyssinia, Rasselas Belfield, who was brought to Cumbria to serve a local family before being buried in St Martin's churchyard, has been given Grade II heritage status.

Accommodation near St Martins Church

Virginia Cottage

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