Ss Peter & Martin: Churches of Martindale

At Martindale in Cumbria, there are two churches- the ‘new’ one, from 1880, and the 'old' one from the 1500s. The first, St Peter’s, is remote and hard to get to. The second, St Martin’s, is really remote and really hard to get to. A narrow road leads to both, suffering from an inadequate ratio of passing places. Fortunately, the road leads to nowhere but Martindale, so there is no through traffic.

St Peter’s church (top) is pretty, with interesting coloured glass in its tall, lancet windows. There are lots of well-made furnishings and it feels more like a church.

In contrast, St Martin’s is rather bare (above and below), with whitewashed walls and plain, clear glass in its regular, rectangular windows.

Yet when one beholds the beauty of Martindale, upon which St Martin’s windows look out, one realises why those windows’ glass is clear. That view must have turned many to faith, and given them a comprehension of the Creator.

No man-made artistry can compete with God’s own handiwork. St Peter’s might be pretty, but St Martin’s is set in a looking glass of heaven itself.