Disused but not neglected

Yesterday the main article in the Journal bit of the Guardian was, as a break from the inevitable politics, given over to a description by Ian Jack of 10 good memories 'from a year in which private escape from the public realm became even more attractive'. A bit 'blip-like' I thought.

The first memory is of the stained glass windows in a tiny, and no longer used for worship, church - St Gregory's near Sedbergh. So this afternoon we thought we would find this church. Well, we must have driven past it many times over the years, as it is right beside the road into Sedbergh. Not that you would at first notice it, as it is squashed in between a house and a barn and yard. But what a find!

The church was built in the early 1860s at the time of the building of the Low Gill to Ingleton branch railway and served the navvies who were doing the building, as well as local farmers. The windows were added later and they are glorious. They reflect the local area, with its woods, hills and rivers. They have to be the most beautiful stained glass windows I have ever seen. This is just one example - there are four or five more very similar. In addition there are three of a more conventional kind, although still charming - these were by Morris & Co. There is also some wonderful wooden carving, reminiscent of the Arts and Crafts Movement (see extra). 

In 1992 St Gregory's was declared pastorally redundant and is now in the hands of the Churches Conservation Trust. It is not 'neglected' as Ian Jack says, but could do with a few more visitors to admire these beautiful windows. 

And I think there might be a few sunset blips today - as I write this the sky here is the most magnificent red.