St Oswald's Church is a landmark in the village of Ravenstonedale in Cumbria. It has served the community for centuries, providing shelter, education, religious and social care; a place in which to worship, and to mark personal milestones such as christenings, weddings and funerals. St Oswald’s is a place to enjoy. Situated in the heart of the village beside the Scandal beck in a tranquil churchyard, which serves as a haven for wildlife, it holds a very special place in the parish.
Friends of St Oswald's (FOSO) was accepted as a charity by the charity commisioners on 24th May 2011. Its aim was to raise funds to help preserve one of the country's finest churches for the benefit of future generations. The cost of conserving and maintaining St Oswald’s church and artefacts, the churchyard, boundary walls and monastic ruins rests solely upon the congregation’s weekly contributions, regular fundraising events and the generosity of others. Unfortunately the costs outstrip income. Contributions help to ensure the continuation of St Oswald’s now and for future generations. To let such an historic building fall into disrepair and decay would be an irredeemable loss to the heritage and identity of this community. During its period of operation FOSO raised tens of thousands of pounds to support the fabric of the church. This was achieved by individual donations and by fundraising events. FOSO was wound up in October 2021.
FOSO organised many fundraising events over the 10 years it functioned. Below are listed a small selection of these events:
From Westmorland to the Western Front
The Farmer Witch and the Wrong Way Home
St Oswald's is of special interest because of its three-decker pulpit and collegiate pews.
Also noteworthy is an excavation of Gilbertine ruins in the grounds.
The churchyard is also an important part of our community, serving as a final resting place for many generations of all and denominations. The remains of the 13th century monastic Gilbertine cell remind us of the parish’s historic past.
St Oswald’s church was built in 1738 to replace an earlier church. Its fascinating Georgian interior is an historic survival and is becoming increasingly rare as more churches become modernised. Important features include a 3-tiered pulpit, inward facing oak pews, the chancel arch and south porch from the earlier church and a memorial window commemorating Elizabeth Gaunt a member of the longstanding local Fothergill family who was the last woman to be burnt at the stake at Tyburn for her faith. In consequence of its architectural and historic importance St Oswald’s is a Grade I listed building and the medieval monastic remains are scheduled monuments.
Those wishing to trace their ancestry may be interested in the Index of Gravestones in the church grounds. The index draws on a manuscript survey completed in 1994 by Mrs.C Bunney (1910-1995) of Hwith, Ravenstonedale.
There are a surprising variety of plants in the grounds of St Oswald's which have now been categorised - Index of Flowers.
