Civic Church

There are more churches in Cumbria dedicated to St Cuthbert than to any other saint. However, St Cuthbert’s church in Carlisle is possibly the only one with recorded evidence that St Cuthbert actually visited the site. This was in AD686 and the original church is believed to have been built around this time. It is thought that there was a monastery close by at the time, the road the church is beside is called Blackfriars and was the original Roman road through Carlisle. 

The church has been rebuilt on the same spot several times, the fourth time, in the Georgian town church style, was in 1778 and is the current church. Only a 14th century stained glass window remains from the older building. 

Now it stands out of the way, although just off the main city square, and in the shadow of the Cathedral. I could have taken a photo from the front and the main door, from where it looks a little more impressive, but this is the view seen by all the people passing by going to and from the car park and M&S. I was just a few days early for the best picture as, given a little more sunshine (none today) and the whole area will be a mass of purple crocuses. 

I was in Carlisle for the hairdresser’s but of course I bought a book and we also bought a mattress . . . at last. We went to Carlisle’s independent bed shop, had great service and eventually chose one with a layer of wool rather than foam - we thought that was a good idea.