Workington

    Brian G0OMB Walker

                Spring is here in the grounds of Our Lady & St Michael at Banklands

                       Portland Square Workington

                        The Workington Parish church of St Michael refurbished after the fire 

The Georgian Parish church served the community for over a century, then on January the 17th 1887, fire was discovered in the early hours of the morning, Valliant fire fighting efforts were made, the tower was saved and the register and plate were rescued, but the roof fell in and all the church  and furnishings where destroyed and only the windowless walls were left standing the church was an empty shell. History was to repeat its self in the fire of 1994. 

Norman

Around 1100 AD after the conquest ,the Normans replaced this church in  stone. the church at this time consisted of a tower, a nave and a chancel parts of the lower wall and tower are Norman it is likely that, with its strategic position, it was used as a lookout for Scottish invaders sailing across the Solway and as a place of refuge if ever they landed. There was no west door then and possibly wooden doors hung across the arch, preventing access from the church so that the tower was secure in times of danger. the archway leading from the baptistery in the tower, into the nave was originally Norman, and so too is the font with its simple semi-circular decoration. Isabella Curwen {1765-1820} was Henry Curwen's only surviving child and so inherited her fathers estate's , She married her cousin John Christian {of Ewanrigg Hall, Maryport} at seventeen she could not marry in England so they eloped to Scotland and where married in Edinburgh in 1782.Picture bottom right the Artists impression of St Michaels Norman Church. as it would have been showing the Viking Cross.

The Industrial History of Workington

St Michaels is the ancient parish church of Workington, it has witnessed the growth of the town and its industries throughout the centuries and ministered to all who have lived and worked here.

Workington is situated at the mouth of the River Derwent. with its natural harbour, on the West. Cumberland Coalfield, these two major factors have determined the town's growth and industrial history.

Leland, in the 1530's wrote: wher as shyppes cum to,wher ys a pretty fysher town, cawlid Wykenton,and ther chif house of Sir Thomas Curwyn''

In the 17th and 18 centuries coal-mining developed along with the shipping trade, This principally was the coal trade o Ireland combined with other trading ventures, The above picture shows a ship being loaded with coal from the coal 'hurries'  St Michaels Church can be seen in the background. Ancillary trades such s rope and sail making was flourishing due to the growth of shipping and trade to and fro Workington in the late 18th century and early 19th centuries, the iron industry was established. The raw material iron-ore and limestone were available locally, Steel making followed later in the century using the Bessemer Process, There was a great increase in the local population due to the new growth of industry in the town, Steel making ceased in the town n 1972.

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Fire Pictures Neil Sanderson Wton Fire Brigade