St Mark’s Church, Cautley

St Mark’s Church at Cautley near Sedbergh is one of those rather pleasing, early Victorian churches which somewhat resemble a dissenting chapel. The hauteur of the Oxford Movement may not have reached this far north where churches were still expected to be plain; the absence of a bell tower, perhaps on the grounds of cost, add to its rustic simplicity. The insides are clean and the grounds are tidily kept and wild flowers are grown to the rear. Kept open every day, the website describes it as “a resource to be used by locals and visitors alike for spiritual refreshment and development. The peaceful atmosphere at St. Mark’s makes it an excellent place for silent prayer and meditation”.

Spiritual refreshment. Spiritual development. I like the sound of these. Although we need not travel to a church to receive them, much less an empty one, St Mark’s does seem an apt place to develop and recharge, sitting there among the moody Howgills. Perhaps these aims ought to be higher up our list of priorities.