GILSLAND POSTCARDS

Churches, as acknowledged historic buildings, are common subjects for postcards. There has only ever been a Methodist church within the village, but there are others in odd locations round & about. According to George Mounsey, in his book Gillesland, Christian ministry in the area immediately around Gilsland never recovered from the closure of Lanercost Priory by Henry VIII. He set about rectifying this situation by building the churches at Nether Denton and near Gilsland Spa in the 1850s.

St Mary Magdalene's Church, Gilsland

Date posted: 15 September 1915

Stamp: KGV halfpenny

Postmark: Gilsland

NGR: NY6

Publisher: N & C Carlisle

My ref. 054

Nothing much has changed, except the trees. There appears to be a road leading up to the left, but this is "printer's licence" - the original monchrome photos were sent away to have separate colour printing plates prepared, and what the technicians couldn't see clearly, they made up. There are several cards of the village showing the houses with red-tile roofs.

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Gilsland Methodist Church

Date posted: Unused

Stamp:

Postmark:

NGR: NY6

Publisher: Auty Series G.H. ref. 3889

My ref.: DG

Gilsland Methodist church (called "Wesleyan Chapel" on the card) has not changed much in 100 years, but this image is interesting because it shows the old road down to the Irthing bridge. The curve can still be seen preserved in the garden wall of Mumps Hall. The new road to the bridge, with its viaduct over the Poltross Burn passing close to Dinmont House, was constructed in 1831.

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Over Denton Church

Date posted: Unused

Stamp:

Postmark:

NGR: NY6

Publisher: Nicholson & Cartner

My ref.: 339

One of Gilsland's hidden masterpeices, Over Denton church can claim to be one of the oldest standing buildings in Cumbria. It is Saxon in design, and despite renovations in 1881 retains original features such as the doorway, one of the windows and a Roman arch, thought to have come from a nearby fort.

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St Cuthbert's Church, Nether Denton

Date posted: 31 December 1904

Stamp: KEVII halfpenny

Postmark: Haltwhistle

NGR: NY6

Publisher: J.B. & S. ref. 29588

My ref. 299

Similar in style to St Mary Magdalene's, this church was also built by George Mounsey around the same time. It stands within a Roman fort.

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