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The Church of St Oswald,WARTON

The first recorded holder of the benefice was William the Chaplain 1180-1199,more than a century before the present building was erected.The earliest portion of the present Church was built in the 14th century by the family Twenge of whom Thomas and Robert Twenge,both Rectors of Warton,held part of the Barony of Kendal.A more ancient church was thus replaced.The older part of the church is the south aisle wall containing two 14th century windows.

The family croft,of whom the last male heir,Sir James Croft of Dalton,was living in 1428,and whose armorial bearings are cut in stone over the north door,seems to have rebuilt the Church in the 15th century except the south side of the nave.

The Washington family was a great benefactor of the Church. Robert Washington built the Tower.Laurence Washington was Vicar c.1730.Thomas Washington,the last member of the family to live in Warton,was Vicar 1779-1823 and is buried outside the east end of the Church.

The Chantry Chapel of St Mary (S.E.corner)was founded in the 15th century by the Crofts and patronage of it came to the Middleton family along with Leighton Hall,by the marriage of Alyson Croft with Geoffrey Middleton in 1438.The Middleton coat-of-arms is carved on a seat near the lectern alongside others originally on an old rood screen which was removed in the early 17th century.

The Chantry Priest probably held school in the passage between the north and south doors.The Chantry was dissolved under the Act of 1547,at the Reformation,and its property confiscated by the King.At this time the title was taken from the Parish and given to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester,who became patrons of the living until acquired by the Bishop of Blackburn.The Dean and Chapter of Worcester are still responsible for repairs to the chancel.

The north aisle was added in the 16th century.The square caps of the eastern most arch are probably accounted for by the old wall being allowed to remain there and being broken through.

In the Belfry is a ring of three bells,the oldest being inscribed R.B.anno dom 1576.

The font is older than the present building and probably dates from the 12th century.Sir Robert Bindloss of Borwick Hall,Sir George Middleton of Leighton Hall,and Nathaniel West were responsible for re-lining the font in 1661 with elaborately wrought lead work on which their initials appear.Eighteen members of the Washington family were babtised in this font between 1584 and 1718.

Until the reign of Charles I the communion table was in the body of the Church but it was removed to the east end and enclosed by rails "to secure it from the rude approach of dogs etc." The rails were broken down but replaced in 1699.

During the renovations of 1967 the altars were removed from their platforms and the main altar  was extended.The Lady Chapel was refurnished,extra lighting was installed,and the north porch rebuilt.The Pulpit ,which for centuries had hidden  the Chancel from the worshipers using the north side of the aisle,was removed to the south side where the Lectern had previously stood.Large areas of the wall were replastered and the whole interior decorated.