Topics > Cumbria > Workington > Church of St Michael

Church of St Michael


St Michael's Church in Workington is located near the south banks of the River Derwent. The oldest parts of the church date from the 12th century and it is thought to have been built on the site of an earlier 7th century monastery. In 1770 much of the church was rebuilt, retaining part of the 12th century tower. But then, in 1887, a fire badly damaged the church. Almost a century later another serious fire damaged the church in September 1998, with the church remaining closed for repairs until reopening in 2001. The church is Grade II* listed on the National Heritage List for England.

St Michael's Church, Workington is the Parish Church of the town of Workington, Cumbria. It is part of the dearnery of Solway, in the archdeaconry of West Cumberland.

History

The oldest part of the church dates from around 1150, as evidenced by a marble plaque located at the rear of the church bearing that date and naming Walter as the first rector. However, there is evidence that an earlier seventh-century monastery was located on the same site. Nearby Viking Age finds confirm settlement well before the twelfth-century in the area surrounding the mouth of the river Derwent. Eleventh-century texts describe the arrival of monks from Lindisfarne, carrying the bones of St Cuthbert, in Workington (then called Derwentmouth) following the destruction of the kingdom of Northumbria by the Vikings in 875. It is presumed the monks stayed at the monastery on the site currently occupied by St Michael's Church before leaving Derwentmouth by boat.

The twelfth-century church was typical of many border churches, being construction for both worship and protection. It originally consisted of a simple nave and chancel, with a fortified tower only accessible through the nave. The original tower constitutes the base of the current one. The church served a local population composed mostly of fishermen and farmers, as well as the Curwen family, the local lords of the manor. Effigies of Sir Christopher Curwen and his wife, dated 1450, are located within the church.

Much of the church was rebuilt in 1770, but in 1887 a large part was destroyed by fire. The church was rebuilt over the course of three years, and was heavily redecorated in 1938. Fire once more destroyed much of the church in 1994, this time closing it for seven years, before it was reopened and rededicated in 2001.

Text from Wikipedia, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (accessed: 30/11/2018).
Visit the page: St Michael's Church, Workington for references and further details. You can contribute to this article on Wikipedia.

Workington Grade II* Listed Churches and Cathedrals Historic Buildings and Monuments in Workington
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St Michael's Church, Workington

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St Michael's Church, Workington

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Workington Parish Church
- Official Website of Workington Parish Church of St Michael.

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Porch, St Michael's Church, Workington

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Interior, St Michael's Church, Workington

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Font, St Michael's Church, Workington

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St Michael's Church, Workington

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St Michael's Church, Workington

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St. Michael's at sunset

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Interior, St Michael's Church, Workington

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St Michael's Church, Workington

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Benchmark on St Michael's Church

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St Michael's Church

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Interior, St Michael's Church, Workington

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Table tomb, St Michael's Church, Workington

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Pulpit, St Michael's Church, Workington

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St Michael, Workington: mid-February 2015

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Pub Blown Up

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Wedding cars leaving St. Michael's Church

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CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL - Workington - List Entry
- "Parish Church. C12 tower, nave rebuilt in 1770 and after a fire in 1888 by Bassett Smith and James Howes. Hammer-dressed pink and calciferous sandstone, the rebuilding of similar material …

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The Diocese of Carlisle
- "A SET of 19 handbells, badly damaged in a church fire 18 years ago, are back in use after being refurbished. The 160 year old bells used to make an …

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Sigma-86

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slag bank walk 29-03-13-0166_DCE

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slag bank walk 29-03-13-0149_DCE

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slag bank walk 29-03-13-0696_DCE

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List number: 1144492
List grade: 2*
Post code: CA14 2EZ
County: Cumbria
Grid ref: NX9973428956
Wikipedia: St Michael's Church…

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