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St. Michael’s Church, Bowness-on-Solway, England

 

St. Michael’s Church, Bowness-on-Solway

This evening, I am posting information on St. Michael’s Church, Bowness on-Solway, Cumbria, England.

This church sits within within the confines of a former Roman fort on Hadrian’s Wall which in turn dates back to the 2nd century AD. More information:-

  • Bowness-on-Solway is believed to have been the far western terminus of Hadrian’s Wall. Here was the second largest fort on the Wall known as Maia.
  • The Solway Firth is a bay or estuary through which runs the boundary between England and Scotland. This area has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is rich in bird life.
  • St. Michael’s dates from the 12th century and was constructed using masonry re-cycled from Hadrian’s Wall and remains of the fort. The church may be sited on the former granary of the fort.
  • When constructed, the church would have been used for Roman Catholic worship but since the 16th century has formed part of the Anglican Communion ( Episcopalian).
  • The church was subject to a restoration in the 18th century and a north transept added in 1891.
  • Main features are now: wide single chamber; nave, north transept; south porch; and double bell tower. The Norman font was found in a local garden in 1848.
  • The tower bells are not believed to be original. It is believed the bells were stolen from a church in Dumfries, Scotland in retaliation for theft of originals by the Scots in 1626.

Interior of St. Michael’s Church, Bowness-on-Solway, Cumbria

Western elevation of St. Michael’s Church

 

St. Michael’s Church, Bowness-on-Solway, England

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