The Victorians

The Victorian years (1835- 1900-ish) saw a considerable growth in patronage in the Church of England particularly as new technology, the coming of the railways and wider opportunities overseas and at home produced new wealth and a plethora of ‘benefactors’ quick to make their mark (and leave it behind!). Inscriptions and tablets abound.

The developments in Poor Law and Parish Relief within the parochial system were significant and helpful even if it served to highlight the differences between the ‘new aristocracy’ and the ordinary people on the receiving end.

In relation to the churches in Low Furness the benefactors were a mixed blessing as any glimpse of the fabric will show.

At Aldingham the Crown invited a number of high-profile clergymen in succession to this ‘plum’ living. Of particular note was the Reverend Doctor John Stonard (pictured left), Rector from 1814-49. He made substantial improvements to the building and Rectory, reinforced the sea wall and had Aldingham Hall, a magnificent residence; built for his own use (he didn’t in fact achieve that but left it to his butler for apparently saving his life on the sands). Sadly, in the process of extending the church itself much of the oldest part of the North side of the churchyard with its important relics were lost and very little saved.

A display of the Victorian period is planned for 2004 at Aldingham.

The ancient church at Urswick fared somewhat better although even then expedience sometimes changed the vital historical credibility of some parts of the building. For example, the insertion of a fifth window in the South wall (pictured left) of the Nave appears to have been ‘slipped in’ between incumbents (1877) without too much care. A significant and prominent monument in the graveyard in the line of the ‘new window’, illustrated in his 1850’s drawing by William Urswick, seems to have disappeared at the same time! Coincidentally, perhaps, parish records for that time were among many declared useless as a result of damp and could not be retrieved. Want to know more? Then click on to ‘Rich Pickings’

By contrast although Rampside village became a place for ‘genteel company’ to take the sea air and to benefit from the ‘healing saline bath’ at the Conckhole, the church of St. Michael was rebuilt by public subscription (1840) and additions made (1866). By 1879 its fabric was poor and the pews damp and in need of attention. In 1891 the Reverend Thomas Edge noted that ‘there is not a single wealthy person resident in the parish’. Ironically, one of its better assets, the East Window depicting the Crucifixion by Shrigley and Hunt from Lancaster and London, was first offered to St.Cuthbert’s, Aldingham but the offer declined for some reason!

Many other churches became parishes in their own right during the 1800s, including St.Matthew, Dendron and new churches built, like Holy Trinity, Bardsea with attendant developments and associations.

It is not difficult to see the Victorian influences in our graveyards themselves in relation to the large monuments, statues and flowery inscriptions which so often appeared; by contrast, take time to read the dates and details on the many headstones for a more stark reading of our Victorian social history- that in itself makes the journey worthwhile.