Bewcastle

Noted in http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/CUL/Bewcastle/ [accessed 30 January 2010] [NB: original source unknown -- to be completed]: "In 1597, the church was said to be "decayed for over sixty years and the patron unknown" and its condition had not improved by a Crown survey in 1604. The rector recorded it as in good repair in 1687, but in 1703, Bishop Nicholson of Carlisle wrote of its poor condition, noting that "The font wants a pedestal and looks like a swine's trough." and "...no bell to call them into divine service." A visitor in 1753 noted much improvement since the Bishop's visit, but a bell was not purchased until 1785. The church was remodeled in 1792 and significant repairs made in 1879, but by 1899 surveyors found that not only was the church in a bad state of repair, it was dangerous. Major work commenced in 1901 and the church reopened on Sunday, 3d November of that year."