St Michael’s Church at Lowther
The church of St. Michael at Lowther, twelfth and thirteenth century in origin but rebuilt in the seventeenth century, and completely remodelled in the nineteenth century. It has been suggested as the site of a monastery, but this is unconfirmed.
The listing includes a twelfth century cross and a seventeenth century mounting block in the church grounds, as well the nineteenth century mausoleum for the Lowther family. The late seventeenth century gate piers are also listed.
“Three pre-conquest decorated hog-back tombstones are located within the churchyard, and there used to be two cross-shafts inside Lowther Castle, which are probably of eighth century date” (Bailey and Cramp 1984).
The hogback stones and cross parts are now found within the public area of the church.
Church of St Michael, Lowther Park, Askham
Parish church. C12 and Cl3 with extensive late C17 rebuilding; C19 alterations and additions. Partly-rendered sandstone rubble walls with eaves cornice and raised red sandstone quoins. Graduated greenslate roof with coped gables. 4-bay nave with west porch and aisles; central square 3-storey tower with north and south transepts; single-bay chancel. Nave is externally late C17 with moulded-surround windows in aisles and in clerestory. C19 gabled stone porch. Tower is partly medieval and in late C17 had a domed cupola, removed in C19 and replaced by an extra storey and a battlemented parapet. C19 triple lancet windows. Transepts are late C17, that to south with Lowther arms in pediment. Line of original transept roof can be seen in tower wall above. Chancel has C17 priest's doorway and tall round-headed windows, 2 in east wall. North vestry. Interior of porch has free-standing remains of 3 hog-back coffin lids and a saxon cross shaft. Interior: north arcade has 3 C12 round piers with carved capitals, supporting round arches. Similar round arches of south arcade are supported by C13 octagonal piers. Font c.1686 inscribed TA. Various marble wall plaques to members of the Lowther family and C20 heraldic stained glass in south windows. Pointed tower arch. Hanoverian Royal Arms of the 3rd period (1816-37) on gallery and pater boards above. In the south transept are elaborate monuments to various members of the Lowther family: an alabaster effigy of Sir Richard Lowther 1608, with accompanying wall-mounted heraldic plaque; John Viscount Lowther 1700, marble effigy and wall plaque; elaborate wall plaque of 2 busts with garlands and railed backdrop to John Lowther and Lord Lowther 1675. More C19 and C20 marble and brass monuments and wall plaques to members of the Lowther family in south transept and in chancel. Dado panelling looks C17 but altar rail is C19 imitating C17. See RCHM, Westmorland, 1936, plates 13, 44, 96 and 138.
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