History of Holy Trinity, Colton

Our church dates back to around 1531-1539 when it was built on the site of an earlier chapel.  At this time all the land around Colton (then known as Coulton) was owned by Furness Abbey.  Monks who lived away from the Abbey resided in granges – such as at “Bouthe”, “Coulton” and Nibthwaite. Their cattle were looked after by herdsmen at farms known as Parks – hence Abbot Park, Hill Park, Oxen Park and Stott Park.

The church was sited above what was then a busy road up the Rusland valley, but later Bouth hamlet increased in size due to the important Kendal to Dalton road, which from 1763 became the Kirkby Kendal to Kirkby Ireleth turnpike. In the Act setting up the Turnpike Trust, Bouth is described as a “market town”. 

Just down the path from the church is a circular spring fed well, known as the Holy or St. Cuthbert’s Well, which is lined with sandstone (possibly from the same source as that of Furness Abbey), the water from which was used for baptisms in the early days of the church. The church was enlarged and consecrated in 1578 by Archbishop Sandys, who presented the church with a silver chalice dated 1571 and known as the Coulton Treasure.

Coulton was originally part of Hawkshead parish but gained its independence in 1676.  There were further restorations and rebuilding works in 1603, 1710-12, 1721 when the north transept was constructed, much to the annoyance of some of the parishioners who succeeded in demolishing part of the work before its completion – they were excommunicated and committed to Lancaster gaol.

The last significant restoration took place in 1890.  At this time the 18th Century font was removed and a 15th Century sandstone octagonal font bowl was discovered acting as the base for the more modern font; this original font is now in use again for baptisms today.  An early 18th century communion rail has also been preserved. The then vicar Rev. A.A. Williams in 1886 was able to piece together a sundial dating from 1674 which had been broken into three pieces, one of which had been rolled down the hill from the church many years before and ended up in a ditch near the vicarage. There is an ancient bell, of great interest to campanologists, in the church which dates from the 14th century and is thought to have come to Colton from Conishead Priory at the time of the Dissolution of the monasteries.

Adjacent to the Church is the School House, built in 1745 and closed in around 1969, which now serves as the church hall.