Religious History

Culgaith Chapel, dedicated to All Saints, was founded at a very early date by the lord of the manor. In 1739 the revenues were certified to the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty at £6, and in the same year it was augmented by £200 by Queen Anne's Bounty. In addition, John Dalston, Esq., Acorn Bank, bequeathed £60, Charles Bowerbank £160, his brother £40, an anonymous giver £70, and two augmentations £400, making a total of £930.

It might be appropriate here to add a few words about Queen Anne's Bounty. From a very early period every bishop and clergy was required to pay the amount of his first year's incumbency into a fund called "First Fruits," and every succeeding year one tenth of his income into a fund called "The Tenths." At the time of the Reformation, a law was passed that "First Fruits " and " The Tenths " should be applied to the use of the State. Except during a short period in the reign of Philip and Mary, these continued to be paid into the public exchequer till the reign of Queen Anne. She deplored the wretched condition of many poor clergy, and determined that "First Fruits" and "The Tenths" should be paid into a fund called Queen Anne's Bounty." This was used to augment the livings of poor clergy. That this payment might not operate oppressively, the first year's income was to be paid by four annual installments, and all small livings were entirely exempt.

The old chapel at Culgaith was in charge of a curate who was employed to read prayers every Sunday morning and afternoon, and at holidays, and to teach the children. For this he was paid between £3 and £4 annually. This was later raised to £6, and when £200 was obtained from Queen Anne's Bounty in 1739, his wages were again raised. Some of this salary was raised by "Chapel Wages," which was money paid by the property owners in Culgaith, and amounted to £1 18s. per annum, and varying from 1s. 4d. to 4s. 4d. per landowner. These Chapel Wages were paid until 1794, when an Indenture was made between John Clarke Gillbanks, Clerk of Culgaith, and several landowners in Culgaith. Mr. Gillbanks, with the consent of the Vicar of Kirkland and Patron of Culgaith Chapel, paid £32 8s. to the property owners, thus releasing them from paying their respective Chapel Wages.

Before the new Chapel was built, there were constant changes of curate, due to the small allowance paid. Sometimes the property owners elected the curate, and sometimes this was done by the Vicar of Kirkland. For years there was much dissention as to who had the right to make the appointment, and at one time the landowners even threatened to take legal proceedings.

When Bishop Nicolson became Bishop of Carlisle he made it his business to visit the various parishes in his diocese and make a report on each church and vicarage. He was most outspoken in his comments and criticisms, and spared no one. In 1703 he visited Culgaith Church while on his way to Kirkland. Although it was only 53 years before the old church was demolished, he seems to have been fairly satisfied with what he saw. He wrote 

"In ye way hither I viewed ye chapple at Culgaith which is in pretty good and decent repair, and all the seats are well. They have a strong chest wherein ought to be preserved the Pope's Bull for haveing of distinct masses here at certain times. I have formerly seen this in the hands of John Unthank of this town, and I am afraid he still has it. I was glad to find ye Diligence of Mr. Derby, the present Reader and Schoolmaster commended, having had many complaints against him. The salary is very inconsiderable. The late John Dalston, Esq., of Acorn Bank, left £20 by's will towards the augmentation of it. Neither the use nor principal is yet paid in by (Mr. Tho. Dalston, of Hornby), his son and executor, who pretends there's not sufficient security offered by the Parishioners, who have already squandered away greater sums. His nephew (J. D. Esq., the present chief) promises that he will shortly influence the Tenants to take up a good improveable piece of ye common, for the support of the Chaplain; and proposes that his Grandfather's legacy may be employed in the enclosing and bringing it into Tillage."

In the time of the old chapel, Culgaith people had to attend Kirkland, the Mother Church, for baptisms, marriages and burials. By 1756 the old building had become very dilapidated and was pulled down. 

A new church was built on the same site, but in the middle of 1758 it had not been consecrated, so on July 19th, 1758, the Chapel Wardens and Proprietors of certain messuages in the hamlet of Culgaith sent a petition to the Bishop of Carlisle, pointing out that Culgaith was about three miles distant from the parish church, that there had been an ancient chapel which had been pulled down owing to its dilapidated condition (with permission from the Bishop), that a new chapel had been built, and that there was a chapel yard convenient for a burial place. The inhabitants of Culgaith asked the Bishop to consecrate the new chapel and burial ground. This was done on August 1st, 1758.

 Some of the bequests mentioned above were used for rebuilding the chapel and any deficiencies were made up by the inhabitants. The rest of the money was laid out in lands which procured a revenue to the curate of upwards of £30 a year.

By 1860 it was found necessary to extend the churchyard, and land and barn, between the existing burial ground and the road, were bought from John and Margaret Hanson, for £60.

By an Order in Council dated 28th October, 1879, the Chapelry of Culgaith was constituted as a distinct Ecclesiastical District, and authority granted for the solemnisation of marriages. It has already been stated that marriages were solemnised in this church from 1758, when the church was consecrated. According to the marriage register, they were solemnised at Culgaith until 1800, then from 1800 to 1880 no marriages are recorded. Everyone had to go to Kirkland Church during that period. Older people in the village still remember hearing of their parents and grandparents going there, generally on horseback. No one seems able to explain the reason for this. The Diocesan Registrar suggests that "the rights, privileges and fees of the Mother Church would be reserved to the Vicar of Kirkland, and that from 1800 the Vicars of Kirkland in- sisted on all marriages being solemnised in the Mother Church, up to the end of 1879, when the Order in Council assigning a District Chapelry to Culgaith was issued."

On the death of the Rev. G. W. Atkinson in 1895, the Rev. John Talbot Edwards, M.A., Cantab., was inducted to the living at Culgaith (1896) by his father, the Rev. A. Edwards, Vicar of Kirkland and Patron of Culgaith. Mr. Edwards was married soon after he came to Culgaith. In fact, he called out his own banns. His bride brought her bicycle with her. This was the first in the village, and when Mrs. Edwards rode along the village street, people rushed out of their houses to see her!

In April, 1918, Kirkland was offered by the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle to the Rev. J. Talbot Edwards, to be held in plurality with Culgaith. He was inducted on May 31st.

In 1930 it was again found necessary to enlarge the churchyard. A piece of land was bought from Mr. George Hanson, and given to the church by Mr. John Knox, son of the late schoolmaster. This extension was consecrated by the Bishop of Carlisle on July 2nd, 1930.

A window in the south chancel was given by the family of Mr. Knox, in memory of their father.

In 1933 a faculty was obtained for installing electric light in the church.

In 1938 a new east window of plain glass was put in as a memorial to Mr. Arthur Hutchinson, a Culgaith landowner who was a Professor at Cambridge University.

During the same year the Chancel was restored in memory of the Rev. J. T. Edwards, who died in 1935. The alterations consisted of a new altar, kneeling benches, priest's stall and lectern, new panelling in north, south and east walls of the Sanctuary, new oak dwarf screen at entrance to chancel, and removal of seven seats in front of pulpit. Mr. Vickers, Vicar, gave much time and thought to these alterations, Mr. Johnston, Penrith, did the carving, and Mr. John Kitchen, a native of Culgaith, gave and put in the panelling.

At one time the Font was at the west end of the church, but in 1951 three pews were removed from the north transept, and a new Font, with carved oak cover, was placed there. The cover and two standard candle- sticks were given by Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Pears in memory of their son, James Westgarth Pears, who lost his life at sea in the Second World War.

A few months ago a surveyor examined the church and churchyard and estimated that over £300 is required for repairs. This has to be raised within the next five years.

The Wesleyan Chapel is a very small, plain building, erected in 1830. It is in the Kirkoswald Circuit, which has two ministers and a "Plan" of local preachers. It was licensed for marriages in 1901, when the first couple to be married were William Harrison, Frenchfield, near Penrith, and Elizabeth Stamper, Culgaith.

At one time, about 70 or 80 years ago, some of the Wesleyans quarrelled amongst themselves and a split was caused. John Oglethorpe commenced to hold services in his cottage, Crossfell View. The young people occupied the parlour, the older people the kitchen or living-room, and the preacher stood in the doorway between the two rooms. and his followers came to be known as the Ranters.

In 1923 Joseph Stamper installed electric light in the Chapel, from his own plant. Later, of course, a supply was obtained from the grid. A few years ago electric heating was installed.

All the work connected with the Chapel is done voluntarily. Organists give their services, several ladies take it in turn to keep the building clean, and local preachers receive no remuneration.