St Mary's Wreay

We heard about this fascinating Church from another exhibitor at the Garden Fair Exhibition at the weekend.  He wasn't in anyway exaggerating the wonders of this building.  It has recently been refurbished and as you walk in it is quite gloomy as the windows are heavily stained glass and quite small.  The lights slowly come up automatically while you stand there adjusting your sight.

Can you tell where Clickychick is in the picture?

An extremely unusual building from the semicircular apse to the carved wood and stone.  The church was financed and the land provided by Sara Losh .  She was her own architect and the church was built at a cost of £1008 between 1840 and 42.   She financed the project on condition she had full control of the design.  The place oozes depictions of nature from the Eagle perched above the bell on top of the church to the gourds round the door, with animals and plants on almost every possible surface.

Not content with being her own architect she carved the soapstone font herself.  I used this picture of the whole (well as much as I could get) inside as I am sure I will show details at other times.  The church is very close to our route up to Carlisle so we will visit again.

I will be away in wales for 5 days so won't post until Monday night at the earliest.