The sublime.

I have driven past this little church so many times in the last few years on my frequent travels to and from Sedbergh. It is just east of Lincoln’s Inn Bridge on the A684 coming from the motorway.

Built in the early 1860s by the Upton family of Ingmire Estate when the LNWR  Ingleton to Lowgill branch was being constructed. The railway company had sent a Mr Foyers as a scripture reader to the navvies. (Some 1,600 navvies were used to build the 18-mile line) His gospel preaching attracted many local farmers as well as the rail workers. On completion of the line in 1861, the farmers pleaded with Miss Upton of Ingmire Hall to have him stay. Hence, the church was founded.

Originally consisting of a chapel and a school room, which were combined at the turn of the century, when most of the stained glass and furnishings were installed, and the porch was added. The original architect is unknown. The church is strangely attached to a cottage on one side.

In 1917 the Upton family transferred the church from their Ingmire estate to the Church Commissioners, and it was consecrated in 1918. It was declared redundant in 1992 and is now under the wing of The Churches Conservation Trust—with a history spanning 160 years or more.

The other day I made time to stop and have a look around the church.

As I said, it is attached to its neighbouring cottage, and a large barn across the way is being renovated. It is not your typical rural church. The roofline has a raised glazed Lantern structure. The porch is not in scale with the rest of the building. All rather odd – perhaps, as is sometimes mentioned, the architect was employed by the railway.

The porch door has a fine knocker.

Churches Conservation Trust.

Once inside, it looks a bit gloomy; perhaps I missed the light switch. All is very plain, with a straight nave to the chancel and altar with no real transept.  The original pews have moulded ends and carvings from the early 20th century.

But then I became aware, or even awed by, the stained-glass windows on the west wall. All showing some Art Nouveau influence, I thought. The subjects were of a natural rather than religious nature. Each window was elaborately framed in wood on the inside, like a picture.

Looking back at the north wall were two more similar windows. 

Later research indicates that the four in the west wall and the two in the north wall were certainly the work of Frederick George Smith, the principal designer of windows for the London firm of Campbell, Smith & Co.

Hills, clouds,  rivers, plants, flowers and birds are all colourfully depicted – with the intent of leading people to God through the delights of nature.

The more conventional figures of Fortitude and Justice by Morris & Co., in the chancel wall and another window in the porch, Peace, probably also by Morris, have a more direct moral and religious message,

But what a selection in such a small church. A real wow factor and totally unexpected.

I have been reading about awe in my 52 Ways to Walk book; I’m over halfway now, you will be glad to know. This week: Seek Out The Sublime. We have all had awe-inspiring moments whilst walking: a spectacular sunset or sunrise, distant blue mountains, a hidden waterfall, glorious cloud formations. Even the smallest things can be marvelled at: lichens, insects, raindrops, a rare flower, the flash of a kingfisher. The outdoors is apt to produce sublime moments you don’t get watching television, one of the joys of walking. The more curious you are, the greater the chance of something inspiring you.  And have you noticed how these moments stay in the memory?

The walk I completed that day was set in spectacular scenery and was full of interest, but nothing awe-inspiring occurred. Until I stepped into this little church.