ST MARY’S Church in Ingleton - which is linked to Sherlock Holmes - is appealing for help in raising a quarter of a million pounds to replace the church roof after it suffered earlier in the year from the ‘Beast from the East’
The picturesque, grade two listed church stands in the centre of the village on the River Greta and was designed by the Victorian neoclassical architect, Cornelius Sherlock, who was also responsible for the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, and the Picton Reading Room, also in Liverpool, which he based on the Pantheon, in Rome.
It also boasts a Norman Tower, and is believed to be the third place of worship to stand on the site over the last almost a thousand years. Inside, it has a stained glass window to the memory of Randall Hopley Sherlock, brother of the vicar, Todd Sherlock, who died after being struck by lightening.
There is also a Vinegar Bible, an 18th century version of the St James Bible, a lectern, partly funded by the Conan Doyle family, and a Norman font.
Mary Doyle, mother of Arthur Conan Doyle, lived at nearby Masongill, and it is believed her son, creator of Sherlock Holmes, was a frequent visitor to the area.
A focal point of Ingleton, it is used by many groups, and is visited by people from all over the world - as a read of its visitors’ book will testify.
But now, the church, which has unsuccessfully applied for funding from the National Heritage Lottery, is hoping the wider community will rally round and help it raise the £250,000 it needs to make repairs to the Victorian roof.
The church is part of the Ingleborough group of churches, within the Leeds Anglican Diocese, which also includes churches at Bentham, Thornton-in-Lonsdale, Burton-in-Lonsdale, and Chapel-le-Dale.
The Rev Nick Trenholme, team vicar of Ingleton and Chapel-le-Dale, said St Mary’s was not just used for services, weddings, baptisms and funerals, but was used by several community groups -such as the Meet and Make group, a coffee and crossword group, and a toddler group. The annual traditional brass band carol service at Christmas is also a highlight of the year. To donate to the roof appeal, go to:.ingleboroughchurches.org.uk/ingleton/restoration-appeal
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