THE VENUE - ST OSWALD'S CHURCH, WARTON

The church was built in the early 14th Century, and was dedicated to St Oswald, the second Christian King of Northumbria. It was the mother church of a much bigger parish, including Silverdale, Carnforth, Borwick and Yealand. The first recorded holder of the benefice was William the Chaplain who held the office between 1180 and 1189 – more than a hundred years before any part of the present church was built.

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The church in Warton was one of the richest churches in the Diocese of York; in Pope Nicholas’s taxation of 1291 the revenues were valued at £66 13s and 4d and it’s taxes of £26 13s 4d were the highest in the Diocese. (The purchasing power of these figures was, in those days, approximately, £66.13.4 would buy 87 good horses or pay a skilled tradesman for 6666 days; £26.13.4 would purchase 35 good horses or pay a skilled tradesman for 2666 days. Most of the peasants in England during the 13th Century lived below a reasonable subsistence level.)

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There is information in the church describing the history of the building, from the 14th century original walls, through a series of renovations up to the present day. It is well worth a visit.

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In the mid-13th Century, a branch of the Washington family from County Durham came to live in the Warton area. The Washington family's Coat of Arms, now located inside the church tower, is said to have inspired the design of the flag of the United States of America. The first President of the USA was George Washington, a descendent of the Washington family of Warton. The tower of the church was built by Robert Washington in the 15th Century and on the 4th July, Independence Day, each year, the Stars and Stripes flag is flown.

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Money raised from Rug and Quilt Warton will be used for the repair and upkeep of the church.

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