Old Church in Hensingham, Whitehaven

[Jackie M]

Hello

I just wondered if anyone can help me find out the name of the old church from Hensingham Square (not St Johns which is still there).  The church was situated right in the centre of the square at the end of the row of houses between the Kings Arms pub and the book keepers. 

About a year ago I came across a photograph of the church and rather foolishly I didn't keep a copy.  Can anyone help shed light about the name of church, the reason why it is not there now (did it burn down?) or even better have a copy of the photo? 

I would really appreciate any help as I have relatives buried in the church grounds and no knowledge of the church.

Many thanks for any help
Jackie

[Geoff-E]

I think it was actually St Johns.

See http://www.old-maps.co.uk/IndexMapPage2.aspx

The 1867 map has a church where you say, labelled St Johns.  It was still there in 1900 but by the 1926 map it had gone, to be replaced by a new St Johns, further south.

The old Church Lane still exists http://tinyurl.com/ljohd7

[Jackie M]

Geoff - you're a star.   Thank you so much.  You are truly an authority on all things 'Whitehaven'.  If I do discover the photograph again would you like me to upload it?

Thanks again
Jackie 

[Geoff-E]

You are truly an authority on all things 'Whitehaven'.

I think not Jackie.  It was just a place we went to on holiday, as my mum's mum lived there.

They actually lived at 14 Main St, Hensingham for a while - which was the Beehive Inn.  They left there in 1953 for Sandhills Lane.

[emmsthheight]

Hi Jackie

I' 99% sure when I researched a family from there that there was a split in the registers to New St John's, but the family I was researching actually moved churches, as there was such a distance between the new and the old one.  It had been a mystery.  We thought they'd moved, but it was actually the church which had moved!

Best wishes

Emms

[Geoff-E]

It was actually the church which had moved!

It's only about 200 yards .... you can see the "new" church at the bottom and the green area that was the site of the old church at the top centre http://tinyurl.com/npuv26

[Jackie M]

Geoff is right - they are really close together.  I still can't find out why they replaced the church.  If I find out I'll let you know .....

Bye for now
Jackie

[emmsthheight]

Hi

Yes, this family lived on the other side though, nearer town, so even if there were other reasons, it made going to town closer - either way, you have to go up a hill in one direction - maybe they had a carriage though.

Best wishes

Emms

[Jackie M]

Hello All

Well after quite a search I have managed to track down a photo of the original St Johns Church in Hensingham.  I have talked to quite a few older local people who knew about the original church.  Apparently the reason why the new St Johns church was built was due to the badly deteriorated state of the original church.  The current St Johns church was built on ground gifted by the Earl of Lonsdale.

I visited the old St Johns site a couple of weeks ago and there are still many headstones buried under brambles.  Hopefully my own relatives are not the only ones who are gone, but not forgotten.

Hope you like the photo
Jackie