Matterdale

Reported in Kelly's Directory of Cumberland of 1894 as an ancient baptismal font originally from the Greystoke church [source: groups.msn.com/MatterdaleMatters/1894kellys.msnw]. Cox (1813) writes of the misadventures of this font: "Plain octagonal font, ejected from Greystock church in 1703, afterwards served as a cheese-press at Dockray, then inverted and used as a sundial in this churchyard, recently restored to its sacred use, in succession to a mere pedestal quasi-font." The WestGallery web site [www.westgallerychurches.com/gallery.html] quotes Arthur Mee on the position of the font "stands in an old square singing seat" [i.e., Arthur Mee (1875-1943)]. The Visit Cumbria website [http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/chp9.htm] [accessed 31 January 2010] notes: "There are two fonts, the older in use from the 17th Century until 1881, when a larger one from Greystoke was brought into use. The older one is now turned upside down and used as a sundial." The entry for this church in Historic England [Listing NGR: NY3944122440] notes: "Font in form of baluster, probably late C17; font to west end is octagonal, brought from Greystoke church, date uncertain." A communication from Emma Bray to the Friends of the Ullwater Way [https://www.ullswaterheritage.org/locations/matterdale-church] [accessed 29 July 2025] notes: "The large font is though[t] to be Norman and came from Greystoke Church. The smaller font which is used today is probably 17th century."