Building » Windermere – Our Lady of Windermere and St Herbert

Windermere – Our Lady of Windermere and St Herbert

Lake Road, Windermere LA23 2EQ

A late church by Sandy & Norris, unusually planned with two naves to cater for seasonally fluctuating congregations.  

The church replaces an earlier church of 1883. It was built from designs by Sandy & Norris at a cost of £34,000. The foundation stone was laid by the Rt Rev. B.C. Foley, Bishop of Lancaster on 9 September 1962, the stone having come from the thirteenth-century chapel of Our Lady on Ladyholme. The church opened in 1964. The church lies a short distance from Windermere, and was built to an unusual double nave plan, to accommodate seasonal variations in the size of the congregation. At peak times it could accommodate 320.

Description

The plan consists of two naves giving off a raised hexagonal tower with shallow pyramidal roof, and a lower narthex and baptistery occupying the angle between the naves. Lower sacristies etc give off at the rear. The exterior is clad in ashlar stone and slate, and the roofs in copper. Inside, the sanctuary is located beneath the tower, top-lit by a clerestorey with coloured glass.

The presbytery (attached by a link to the north side of the church) appears to be contemporary with the church.

Entry amended 21.12.2020

Heritage Details

Architect: Sandy & Norris

Original Date: 1964

Conservation Area: Yes

Listed Grade: Not Listed