Martindale

Cox (1913) mentions a "14th cent. upstanding holy-water stoup at Martindale". Curwen (1932) mentions that this "chapel" is documented to 1220 and 1247, and that it was "consecrated with parochial rights" after its re-building in 1633. Curwen (ibid.) adds: "The building underwent complete repair in 1833, but is now disused." Julian Thurgood [www.visitcumbria.com/pen/chp20.htm] [accessed 30 January 2010] notes: "The old Church of St Martin, Martindale, has existed since at least 1220. It is probable that the present building was erected at the end of the 16th Century. There have been successive restorations to the present building, the last major restoration being in 1882 [...] Objects of interest include [...] the font which was almost certainly a Roman altar". [NB: the object is alternatively described as a stoup or a font in the local sources; this old church is open only occassionally in the summer; most services are carried out at the new, 19th-century, church of St. Peter nearby]. Hickson (2001), in his website on Martindale [http://www.gardenhousenursery.co.uk/htmfile/martindale.html] [accessed 30 January 2010] notes and ilustrates the font: "In the corner next to the altar is a stone font which apparently was brought down from the Roman road of High Street which ran along the fell tops. This font was originally a standing stone believed to be at least 1700 years old. It was originally used by the locals to sharpen tools but was later hollowed out and used as a font. The marks from the tool sharpening are still visible."