A somewhat larger edifice is the very interesting church of Wythburn, in Cumberland, the dimensions of which are—nave (length), thirty-nine feet; height of walls, ten feet; and width, fifteen feet. This was the original church, erected about one hundred and sixty years ago, and is of the simplest description. The roof is constructed of old ships' timber, and the windows are square holes with wooden frames. The chancel is eighteen feet long by fifteen feet by ten feet. The beautiful little east window is by Henry Holiday, and was put in to the memory of the late vicar. What a magnificent site for a church! The poets have thus expressed themselves with regard to this humble but beautifully situated church:—
Canon H. D. Rawnsley wrote:
"We cannot stay—for life is but an Inn,
A halfway house—and, lo! the graves how near!
Yet mighty minds have hither come for cheer
Before the upward path they dared begin.
Here Gray the pilgrim rested pale and thin,
Here Wilson laughed, and Wordsworth murmured here.
Here Coleridge mused, and ere he crossed the mere
Hence Arnold viewed the Goal he hoped to win.
And we who would Helvellyn's height essay,
Or climb towards the gateway of the mound
Where Dunmail died because his realm was fair,
May join their gracious company who found
Earth's beauty made Life's Inn a House of Prayer,
And speed, refreshed of soul, upon our way."
Wythburn Church as compared with St. Paul's Cathedral.
(Photo: T. Dumble, Keswick.)
WYTHBURN CHURCH.
(Thirteen yards long, five yards wide.)
Wordsworth, too, said:
"If Wythburn's modest House of Prayer,
As lowly as the lowliest dwelling,
Had, with its belfry's humble stock,
A little pair that hang in air,
Been mistress also of a clock
(And one, too, not hung in crazy plight),
Twelve strokes that clock would have been telling
Under the brow of old Helvellyn."