« Growing with love. | Main | psst.. can you keep a secret? »
July 02, 2005
900 years over a lunchtime.
I was having a pint in the Stag Inn this lunchtime, the oldest pub in the village and had the fortune to meet Terry Clifton, the virger at St. James Church, Church Kirk. He was kind enough to open up the church for me to take a few pictures.
The church was founded by St. Oswald in 1100AD and is famous for the stained glass windows (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) by the artist Burn-Jones. This is a poor parish, and each of the windows is valued at £1,000,000 ($2,000,000) If sold, the problems of maintaining this venerable old building would be solved for the next few generations, but of course that is not an option.
This is a breathtaking church, and the work left by the craftsmen could never be matched today. I was however distressed to learn that a burglar had recently broken in to the church, entering through the great east window, smashing ancient stained glass and busting carved stone tracery before making off with.... £8 ($16).
Terry told me that the thief had got away with the crime, but the karma that man loaded onto his tortured soul will surely never be repaid.
This is the font, also dating for 1100AD. I wonder how many of the village children have been baptised here in the past 900 years? Terry tells me that a child will be baptised there tomorrow. My love and warm wishes go out to this latest little twig on this old tree that is the village.
Posted by Andrew at July 2, 2005 07:33 AM
Comments
Hi Andrew,
Just been browsiong your sight.Some terrific pics.
Thanks for the ones of Church Kirk.
Best regards Terry.
Posted by: terry clifton at July 3, 2005 12:44 AM
Hi
you probably dont remember me but im the bloke that gave you a card for AccringtonWeb.com
i have just been looking at your pics of the church and just thought you might like to know i have some more you might like also i have a set of pics of a church on blackburn roat Sacread Heart Church that was pulled down 1 year ago and i have pics of the inside and out if you would like them i could send you a CD with them on as there is quite a lot over 80 if you would like a CD please e-mail me with your address and i will send it to you good luck with the blog
mick
Posted by: mick at July 7, 2005 01:02 AM