Back down the nave and out of the door
The nave and its beams are adorned with inscriptions. Those on the spaces between the arches, the ‘Spandrels’, probably date from about 1600 and were questions and answers taken from a book published in 1590 and based on an earlier manuscript written by Robert Openshawe. For many years these inscriptions were hidden under lime-wash until they were rediscovered by Canon Stock in 1870. A transcription is available in the church.
On the face of the third pillar is an inscription starting ‘Preach the word...’. This text, from 2 Timothy, Chapter 4, verse 2, is taken from the Bishops’ Bible 1568, and marks the site of the old three-decker pulpit prior to 1870. The texts on the beams are also thought to date from 1870. Facing east the texts lead naturally towards communion and, as you face west, they lead towards the figure of Christ in Glory on the west wall. On the curvature of the arch facing the lectern there is an inscription, in Latin, by Christopher Philipson, a local literary gentleman. This consists of Latin hexameters and was put up in 1629 to mark the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605.
Beside the lectern there is an oak display case made by Arthur Simpson of Kendal as a memorial to the local Arts & Crafts architect Dan Gibson. This contains ancient books, including a copy of the Breeches Bible and two 16th century chained volumes. The beautifully carved St John’s screen and its original “rood” or cross
was transferred to St Martin's in 1995 when the Church of St John the Evangelist, Windermere, closed. The former rood screen was adapted for use in its present setting and its original cross stands next to it. The screen was designed by Dan Gibson. None of the parishioners who carved the screen had previous experience of such work, so the services of a local professional carver were secured to give general directions. Those involved included a monumental sculptor, a railway ticket collector, a young boat builder and a school master. The screen door now provides access to the vestry and robing room. This room contains a monument to Richard Watson, a Bishop of Llandaff who died in 1816, comprising a tablet with a mitre, crozier and a number of books. This was carved by the sculptor John Flaxman (1755-1826) who was famous for his work at the Wedgwood Potteries. Bishop Watson owned land on the west shore of Windermere (Claife Heights) and was responsible for planting part of the woodland there. He lived at Calgarth Park and was a remarkable personality of his day. As bishop he was, according to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, mostly not resident in his diocese. He did not, however, neglect it entirely. He made an annual ordination visit and extensive three-yearly 'visitations' during which he also carried out confirmations.
The Philipson Memorial on the south wall is the oldest in the Church, dating from 1631. The inscription, set in black marble, is the author’s epitaph upon himself.
There seems to be general agreement that this member of the Philipson family was related to the Christopher Philipson who was responsible for the inscription about the Gunpowder Plot, but the nature of the relationship is not clear. The pattern above the nearby south aisle window is a surviving example of how the church was decorated by local craftsmen in the 15th century. It also served as a basis for parts of the 1870 decoration.
Above the main door is a board bearing the Royal Arms of George III. In 1761, when it was originally painted, it was probably in a more prominent place. It symbolised the church’s loyalty to the Crown. It was lost in 1870 and restored to the church in 1926 by Roger Bownass of the Old England in whose possession it had been since 1895. The church doorway itself is both ancient and modern, as the new inner doors were part of our millennium additions. These glass doors are etched with the Compass Rose,
the emblem of the Anglican Communion and based on an original design by the late Canon Edward West of New York. The modern version is by Giles Bloomfield. The symbol may be found in the nave of Canterbury Cathedral, as well as Washington and New York Cathedrals. Its use is becoming increasingly widespread.
The central Cross of St George is a reminder of the English origins of the Anglican Communion and the compass symbol indicates its spread throughout the world. The mitre at the top represents the role of the episcopacy and apostolic order, which is central to the churches of the Communion. The Greek inscription round the centre is from John 8.32 “The truth shall make you free.”’
As you leave the church building you will find, in the porch, a list of Rectors of Windermere since 1256. The first incumbent was probably in charge of a Chantry or Leper Chapel on the island that is now called Ladyholme. Canon Stock and Canon Nurse, in particular, are noted for their long ministries of 47 and 41 years respectively.
The Churchyard was consecrated in 1348 at the time the country was being ravaged by the plague. Its general shape attests to its age. Until it was consecrated, all burials had to be in Kendal. Parish Churches often jealously guarded their right to burial because of the income associated with it. The churchyard was closed for burials in 1856. There are no gravestones earlier than 1723. Two are unusual and are found under the east wall. One is in memory of Thomas Ullock, a local soldier who fought at Dettingen and Fontenay and who died in 1791. The Ullock family continued to be connected with St Martin’s until the 1920s. The other tombstone commemorates Rasselas Belfield, an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) slave who died in 1822. This Grade 2 listed gravestone is one of Historic England's Sites of Memory. Ironically, a tombstone at the West end of the church commemorates John Bolton, the owner of Storrs Hall and a local benefactor, much of whose wealth was founded on the "triangular trade".
The chancel of the church is built on part of the churchyard that contained the common grave of 47 people who, on the 19th October 1635 drowned in the lake when the ferryboat capsized as they were returning from a wedding in Hawkshead. The yew trees are very old, the oldest possibly dating from the consecration of the churchyard over 600 years ago. The youngest, which is near the lych gate, was planted to mark the new millennium. Note the ancient doorway to the tower of the original church prior to 1480. The tower is slightly offset from the main body of the church, and the height of the door indicates that the church floor level was significantly lower than at present.
St Martin’s is a living, working church community and details of service and other activities can be found on the notice board. You are very welcome to join us. We are proud of our home which is part of the heritage, not just of the church, but of the community and the nation too. If you would like to support God’s church in this place, or to help us in the upkeep of this ancient building, a donation would be greatly appreciated. There is a contactless donation point and a donation box near the door.
We also invite you to sign our visitors’ book, which is near the doorway; we particularly welcome comments and suggestions.
Further Reading
Clowes, Frederic A Description of The East Window of St Martin’s, Windermere, with Some account of that old Parish Church (sometimes called Bowness Church), Kendal: Atkinson and Pollitt, 1874 (pp. 26)
Nurse, Revd E.J. History of Windermere Parish Church. Windermere & Bowness: A W Johnson & Sons, 1919 (pp.119)