St Michaels Churchyard (CA3 9DJ)

Location

St Michael's Churchyard lies in between Church Street and Brampton Road, just opposite Stanwix Primary School.

Facilities

There are bird nesting boxes, resting places for quiet contemplation, outdoor learning spaces, herb rich grasslands and formal raised flower beds.

Park opening times

St Michael's Churchyard is open all day, every day.

History of St Michael's

According to Bulmer's History and Directory of Cumberland 1901, St Michael's Church was in existence as early as the reign of Henry I (1100 - 1135). 

In A History of Cumberland 1794, Hutchinson reports; 'The church is gloomy, being only part of the original structure, as appears by the arches of he north aisle, built up in the outward wall. This fabric has been built of the materials of the Roman Vallum, and stands upon the station.'

It is not uncommon to find older stone being incorporated into later buildings, and it certainly appears that the the old St Michael's Church may have been built using stone from Hadrian's Wall, and more interestingly the fort of Uxelodunum which once stood on the site, more of that below.

The old church was demolished in 1841 and a new church built for an astonishing £3,030. 

The new St Michael's was partially burned by the overheating of ' stoves or flues' in 1843 destroying pews, the organ and windows. In 1885 the graveyard was closed to interments, and in 1894 St Michael's was restored and the vestry enlarged for £1,900.