St Patrick’s Church, Bampton

Most of Bampton church as we see it today was built in 1726-27, but it stands on a site where there has been a place of worship for eight centuries. It was first mentioned in 1170, when it was attached to Shap Abbey.
The present church consists of a chancel, nave and aisles, with a west tower. The interior, which is remarkable for its elegant oak pillars, was extensively altered in 1885, when a major restoration was undertaken. There was a new roof, with its arcade of oak, and a rebuilt chancel with its three light stained glass window. Some of the pews at the front of the nave are 17th century, one dating from 1684. The reredos is a splendid piece of craftsmanship by Mr W Grisenthwaite of Penrith. It is of English oak, and inlaid with holly, with carved vines. The pulpit is from an earlier church, in a Jacobean style, and cut down from a three decker pulpit.