Brampton Old Church is among the most historically significant ecclesiastical sites in Cumbria, its origins stretching back over a thousand years. The building reflects centuries of architectural development, adaptation, and community stewardship.
Late 1st/early 2nd C.
Roman Fort Established
The first proven use of the site was as a Roman fort on the Stanegate, the military road linking Corbridge and Carlisle. The fort stood on a spur above the River Irthing and would have housed an auxiliary unit of around 500 men.
Early 2nd C.
Fort Dismantled
Excavation has shown that the fort had turf-and-clay ramparts, a ditch, granaries, headquarters buildings and barracks. Carefully sealed post holes suggest that it was deliberately dismantled, probably when Hadrian’s Wall and its associated forts became operational.
Early medieval?
Possible Early Christian Use
Local tradition claims that the abandoned Roman fort was later used as a place of Christian worship. The dedication to St Martin, teacher of St Ninian, and the oval form of the old churchyard have been taken as possible clues, though archaeological evidence would be needed to confirm this.
1169
First Recorded Church
The earliest documentary evidence for Brampton’s church dates to 1169, when it is mentioned at the dedication of Lanercost Priory. Osbertus, “persona de Brampton”, witnessed the dedication deed.
1220
Early Vicar Recorded
Thomas was instituted as vicar of Brampton in 1220, showing the church’s place within the established medieval parish system.
1334–1346
Richard de Caldecotes
Richard de Caldecotes served as vicar of Brampton. His medieval cross-slab, carved with a chalice, book and Latin inscription, survives inside the Old Church and is one of the few such monuments in Cumbria that can be closely dated.
14th C.
Fortified Tower Added
During the troubled period of the Border Wars, a fortified tower was added to the west end of the church. This tower is shown in a sketch made during a survey of Hawkhirst in 1753.
1536
After the Dissolution
Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the advowson of Brampton church was granted to the Dacre family. It later passed to the Howards after 1569.
1569
Howard Patronage
The Howard family became connected with the church after 1569, continuing the long association between Brampton’s parish church and the major families of the Barony of Gilsland.
1688–1691
Town Chapel Built
The Earl of Carlisle’s Hospital Chapel was built in Brampton town centre. As the old parish church stood well outside the town, the chapel increasingly became the more convenient place for regular services.
1702–1704
A Church in Poor Condition
Bishop Nicolson described the old church as small, dark, ill-seated and in poor repair. His comments reflect both the condition of the building and the growing inconvenience of a parish church so far from the town.
1753
Church Sketched at Hawkhirst
A small sketch attached to the 1753 survey of Hawkhirst shows the old church before demolition, including its west tower and the absence of a south aisle.
1787
Faculty for Demolition
Permission was granted to take down the old church and its steeple, if appropriate, and to reuse the materials in altering the town chapel into Brampton’s parish church.
1789
Nave and Tower Demolished
By 1789 the main fabric of the medieval church had been pulled down. The nave and tower were demolished, leaving the chancel to serve the old graveyard, which continued in use.
1832–1833
Repairs to Old Church
Parish rates were raised for repairs and cleansing of the surviving Old Church, which continued to serve the burial ground as a mortuary chapel.
1861
Chancel and Churchyard Extended
The old churchyard was extended as families continued to use the burial ground. In the same year the surviving chancel was extended at its eastern end and a porch was added at its western end.
1879–1880s
Renewed Antiquarian Interest
A visit by the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society helped renew interest in the building. Later restoration revealed more of the medieval structure and left the chancel much as it appears today.
1889
Further Churchyard Extension
The churchyard was extended again, showing the continued importance of Old Church as Brampton’s burial place long after parish worship had moved into the town.
1935
Roman Fort Excavated
F. G. Simpson and I. A. Richmond carried out limited excavation, mainly in the southern half of the fort. They identified the fort’s defences, south gateway, granaries, headquarters building, barrack block and other internal structures.
1938
Scheduled Monument
The site was given scheduled monument status, recognising the national importance of the Roman fort, the buried remains of the medieval Church of St Martin, and the potential evidence for early Christian worship on the site.
1960s
Churchyard Closed
The churchyard was closed during the 1960s, although the historic burial ground and its memorials remained central to the significance of the Old Church site.
1978
Redundancy
After serving as a mortuary chapel for nearly two centuries, the surviving chancel was declared redundant by the Church of England.
Early 1980s
Consolidation Work
Consolidation work was undertaken on the surviving church. Around this period, survey work in the graveyard helped suggest the likely size of the medieval church before its demolition.
1981
Brampton Preservation Trust Founded
Brampton Preservation Trust was formed by local people concerned about the loss of historic buildings and the special character of the town.
1988
Old Church Acquired
The Trust acquired Brampton Old Church from the Church of England and oversaw restoration work, securing the future of the surviving medieval chancel.
Today
Continuing Care
Brampton Preservation Trust continues to maintain the Old Church, encourage public access, and promote the care of Brampton’s historic buildings, streets and public spaces.
