St Augustine

Alston, Cumbria

Address

St Augustine
Alston
Cumbria
CA9 3JG

St Augustine's is the largest public building in Alston and its spire is the most prominent feature. It is very significant in townscape terms, a focal point beside the cobbled main street which rises steeply as it passes the churchyard. The building is Grade II listed and was built in 1870 with the steeple completed in 1886, on a roughly circular site dating to medieval times. Its appearance is more typical of a Victorian urban church than might be expected in this rural location. The front walls and entrance gates are separately Grade II listed. Unique features include a clock which belonged to the Earl of Derwentwater (1767) and a particularly fine carillon. There are stained glass windows, memorials and graves that are historically significant. The churchyard is a significant open green space with mature trees in the otherwise mostly hard surfaced centre of Alston, most of which is a Conservation Area, currently designated 'at Risk' by Historic England. Alston is a characterful tourist destination and stands on the popular Coast to Coast cycle route. 

The grant will help fund preparatory work for a project that intends to adapt the church for community activities, an arts/cultural hub, including exhibition space, heating, lighting, flexible meeting space, kitchen/toilet facilities and improved access.

  • Church of England

  • Project Development Grant, £7,697, 2017

  • Our Project Development Grants funded churches developing building projects to help keep churches open.

Contact information

Other nearby churches

St Augustine of Canterbury

Alston, Cumbria

Set in the beautiful North Pennines, Alston is the highest market town in England and St Augustine's houses the unique single handed Derwentwater Clock.

St John

Garrigill, Cumbria

The church is a peaceful haven beside the Pennine Way with a wildlife conservation project in the churchyard.

Holy Paraclete

Kirkhaugh, Northumberland

The dedication to The Holy Paraclete is unique in England.