Revd. Katharine Butterfield
Our church building is open for visiting and prayer from 10am to 6pm
St Peter’s church has been at the centre of the village of Langwathby since mediaeval times, though its origins are obscure. In mediaeval times, Langwathby was in the great Forest of Inglewood, and records show a chapel here in 1302. The church you see now, though, dates largely from 1718, with some nineteenth century alterations.
We are open every day, providing an opportunity for people to have a few moments of quiet and prayer in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is quite surprising how, once within the doors, the noise of the busy village seems to fade away.
We work very closely with the Methodist chapel in the village. We share our service times with them, meeting in St Peter’s on the first and third Sundays of each month, and at the chapel on the second and fourth Sundays, at 11am. We also hold a contemplative,
Taizé-style evening service on the third Sunday of each month, in the chapel at 5pm.
We have close links with the school in the village, and members of the PCC work with the school’s Worship Council to develop a service in church at least termly.
The churchyard was declared full in 2015, and no further burials allowed, although interment of ashes is still permitted. The PCC are making provision for parts of the churchyard to be a wildlife haven. Bird boxes have been erected, insect houses and hedgehog house. And area on the east side has been set aside as a wildflower meadow, with an appropriate mowing scheme in place. A number of native trees have been planted in this area.
To find out more about our events, how you can hold your celebration with us, or for anything else, contact our church wardens:
John Doidge-Harrison: 01768 881179
Bridget Davey: 01768 881648
