Praise our 400-year-old church
Last updated 05:15, Friday, 31 October 2008
A YEAR-LONG celebration marking the 400th anniversary of a church in Longtown is set to begin.
Arthuret Church – also known as St Michael and All Angels Church – is one of the oldest in the Diocese of Carlisle.
The building, which dates back to 1609, has a long and important history which started with James VI of Scotland and the unruly Border Reivers.
The people of Longtown are planning to mark the anniversary with a long programme of events, starting in November.
Jay Norris, one of 11 committee members on the church board, said: “The church has been a focal point for the people of the area and is much loved by the community.
“Most of the residents have grown up with the church and it is a big part of local life.
“We want to make sure this anniversary is special by holding events monthly at least through 2009, starting next month.
“Celebrating 400 years of service by both ministers and people who have cared for it over the years is a worthy way of showing our gratitude today for their service.”
The special birthday celebrations will kick off with an open service on November 30 at 10.30am, which is also advent Sunday, the beginning of the church year.
A piper will perform at the ceremony to mark the Scottish and English connections.
Speakers will visit throughout the year with concerts also planned.
Mrs Norris told The Cumberland News: “Our main event will be held next summer in the form of a flower show, to be held on July 3, 4 and 5.”
The theme of the festival will be the thistle and the rose to mark the ancient cross border connections.
It is hoped that someone from the Royal family will open the festival but this is yet to be confirmed.
The church was rebuilt in 1609 but the exact date is unknown because records were lost in a fire in Netherby Hall.
Mrs Norris explained: “During the 16th century the Border lands were rife with the activities of the Border Reivers, both Scots and English, and lawlessness prevailed. The church at Longtown was in a bad state of disrepair and the people were said to be lacking in the Christian faith.
“Legend has it that when James VI of Scotland became also James I of England he passed through the Arthuret parish.
“Here he met Archie Armstrong who James appointed as court jester.”
Local people believe Archie asked the King if he would restore the church for the sake of the people to restore their faith and the King agreed.
He ruled that every church in the country had to contribute their Sunday collections once a quarter for a year until enough money was raised to build a new church.
Mrs Norris added: “It was the first new church since the Reformation and is built in style.”
The Church of England church is led by Reverend Russell Tague and the Most Reverend Doctor Idris Jones Primus.
It is now part of the benefice of three churches, St Michael and all Angels, Longtown, St Andrew, Kirkandrews-on-Esk and St Nicholas, Nicholforest.
Between them they cover an area from the Scottish border to north of Carlisle.
