St Oswald

Getting here

St Oswald’s Parish Church
Dean

Parts of our building date back to the 12th century – the rest has been gradually added, but there is some evidence that a wooden building stood here from Saxon times

The font which stands just inside the Church door is the original Norman one – although the wooden cover was made locally in Victorian times. Also added in the late Victorian era are the various stained glass windows.

The pulpit, lectern, pews and bookcase are additions from the 1960s,  manufactured and installed by Robert Thompson of Kilburn, Yorkshire – the “mouseman” – there are over twenty of his carved “mouse” trademark around the building – a continual reminder that it has been a place of “quiet activity” for a thousand years

For visitors wishing to learn a little more about this lovely old place, we provide in Church sets of 5 laminated sheets dealing with a number of topics –

The INTERIOR – a look back at when and how the building was put together – as well as information on its furnishings and other fittings The EXTERIOR – a walk around the outside of the building – the Porch – some headstones in the Churchyard – the Preaching Cross – our three rather special Gargoyles The STAINED GLASS WINDOWS – a more detailed look at our three Victorian Windows – our “Jesus focussed” east and west Windows – plus our “Oswald and Aidan” window – with a bit of the story of those two 7th century saints The MEDIEVAL CROSS SLAB GRAVE COVERS recycled in the 18th century (and earlier) – there are eight interesting examples within the building that are worth a look – and a couple outside  And finally a bit of HISTORY of the Parish – some of our past Rectors – and the Schools that have been associated with the Church down the years

Although it’s an ancient building, St Oswald’s is much more than a monument to the past. It continues to be the meeting place for an active Christian congregation, dedicated to the missionary ideals of St Oswald. 

Happily we are able to keep it open 24 hours a day – a sanctuary of peace – a place for personal meditation as well as hunting carved mice – and as a place for corporate Worship –  

Dean
Carlisle
CA144TH

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