Visiting St Oswald's
The ancient church of St Oswald stands near the foot of Ingleborough. The original church was was rebuilt in Norman times by the Mowbray family but the tower was added later in the 15th century. A fire in 1933 gutted the church which was rebuilt in the decorated 14th century Gothic style, the work of Austin and Paley, St Oswald's is one of the most beautiful churches in the diocese. The congregation of St Oswald's is a gathering of Christians seeking to glorify God in worship and in service for the benefit of the people of Thornton (Westhouse) and Ireby. To this end every home in the parish is visited twice a year and the sick and the lonely are cared for. The church hosts events for the village: concerts, exhibitions and seeks to work with the local parish council, the Marton arms and our Methodist neighbours. Externally on the SW butress is a very distincttve Victorian bench mark. First Primary Levelling, England & Wales (1840-60) The churchyard is beautifully kept by local volunteers with flowerbeds, and gravestones dating back to the eighteenth century. Internally further monuments including both seventeenth century and medieval are to be found. One a twelvth century cross slab with a fructrated stem and four step calvery which may be that fo the fourth baron Mowbray who rebuilt the ancient Anglo-Saxon church in the Norman manner. Three arches of the north arcade remind us of this rebuild. We are now part of the Ingleborough Team Ministry, Revd Denis Tate is the team vicar for St Oswald's. |