The first record of a Church on this site dates from 1300 with the appointment of Roald de Richmond as Rector. Much of the Church structure is 12th Century and, in common with many old buildings in the area, was constructed from stone used initially in building the adjacent Hadrian’s Wall. The Church was restored in the 18th Century with a north transept added in 1891.
In addition to its magnificent stained glass windows, the Church has other notable features. The original bells were cast in 1611 and 1616 and were stolen by marauding Scots in 1626. A “raiding party” from Bowness soon recovered the bells and they continued in use until 1905, when a new pair were given to the Church by a Mrs Irving of Port Carlisle in memory of her husband and son. There is also a Norman font, which was buried during the Commonwealth to avoid destruction by Cromwellian forces. It was not dug-up and restored until 1848. In the graveyard, a sundial is mounted on what appears to be a sloping grave stone, but is actually a coffin lid!
The Church is open daily, a Guide Book is available and donation are welcome.
The Church web site can be found:
Link and any queries should be directed through this site.
See other images of St Michael’s Church, Bowness on Solway