The parish church of St.Mary-Whicham. - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

The Parish church of St.Mary welcomes visitors to the church who are on their way to climb Black Combe mountain.
St.Mary's is built on a low mound and is thought to be a religious site of great antiquity.
The oldest visible part of the church is 12th.Century,the rectory was ransacked by Robert The Bruce in 1322.
Bowmen at archery sharpened their arrows on the stonework and these marks are still visible.
The earliest registers for the church date from 1569 and are now in the county archives at Whitehaven.
The original building had walls 5 feet thick,but it's present appearance due to major restoration work in 1858 when the North transept was added also at this time the porch was rebuilt and vestry added and 5 stained glass memorial windows were given to the church.
The coat of Arms above the door is that of George III.
Also of interest is the font which is made from St.Bees sandstone and dates to medieval times,it was originally decorated with painted shields around the outside where you can just see the hexagonal outlines,perhaps Cromwell's soldiers caused their removal when any sort of decoration was forbidden.
One of the greatest treasures of the church is the Victoria Cross won by Tom Mason of Silecroft and left by him to the church,a replica is on display,and the original is now on loan to the military section of the Lancaster museum where it can be displayed with more security.
The bells which hang in the Bell cote are over 500 years old,they are inscribed, "Sancta Maria ora pro nobis" and Sacta Michael ora pro nobis" St.Mary and St.Michael pray for us.
All information stated here is from the leaflet available from the church for a small price.

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 01/01/1858 Age of Church building determined by?: Other reliable source Street address of Church: Parish church of St.Mary Whicham Valley ,Broughton in furness Carlisle, Cumbria England LA18 5LS Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Not listed If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: Not listed If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Not listed Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: Not Listed Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

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