St. Leonard, Cleator, Cumberland

Description

The church of St. Leonard is a building of native freestone in the Early English style, rebuilt in 1841 with the exception of the chancel, which dates from the beginning of the 12th century: the chancel walls, originally about 12 feet in height, were raised 2 feet at the close of the 18th century, when also the roof was reconstructed: an original Norman window remains on the north side, and west of it a sqaare-headed doorway: in the south wall is a 15th century window, and below it is a semicircular piscina, the projecting bowl of which has been broken off: on the east wall are remains of wall paintings of two dates: for a height of about 3 feet the walls are constructed of round cobbles, and portions of a clay and cobble floor have also been met with. In 1906 the church was largely rebuilt; the side walls of the nave were reduced in height, new windows inserted, a new hammer-beam roof was fixed, vestries and a porch were added on the north side and connected by an open arcade, and a western baptistery constructed: between this and the porch now rises a double gabled structure, containing 2 bells, outside which is a covered entrance; the work was executed from designs by Mr. J. H. Martindale, architect, of Carlisle, at a cost of abont £3,200: there are 403 sittings.

Church Records

The parish register dates from the year 1572.