St Andrew’s Church in the centre of the village was built in 1819 using local slate and replaced an earlier church. The chancel was added later, and is narrower than the nave. It is a typical of the many churches rebuilt in the C19th with its solid square tower. It is a simple church and the inside is equally as simple too. A gallery was added later as congregation numbers increased.
There is no guide book in the church and little information on the web.
Its main claim to fame is the wonderfully carved cross in the grave yard, marking the grave of John Ruskin. The different panels depict the different periods of his life and interestingly, there is a detailed description of the carving in the church. I have to confess I don’t have a great interest in Ruskin or his work and I can’t see the point in visiting the grave of long dead men I have no affinity with – HOWEVER, this is worth visiting just for the magnificent carving.
Donald Campbell is also remembered by an etched glass screen at the back of the church He died on Coniston Water in 1967 when his boat, Bluebird flipped and sank while he was attempting to break the world speed record on water. His body was recovered from the lake in 2001 and is buried in the new churchyard.
The churchyard also contains the grave of James Hewiton, a local man who was awarded a VC in World War One.
“Website”:http://www.conistonandcrakechurches.co.uk/st-andrews,-coniston
