Jesus Church

One of only two churches in England dedicated as Jesus Church. Built to serve two settlements, yet sited in neither, this valley floor church would be lost in its setting but for its tower, capped by distinctive corner pinnacles.

The origin of Troutbeck chapel or church is unknown, it is first mentioned in 1506. It was consecrated on 6th July, 1562 by the Bishop of Chester as Jesus Chapel and a second time on 30th April, 1563 by the Archbishop of Canterbury, nobody knows why a second consecration was necessary. Very little of that church remains, the main building and western tower were rebuilt in 1736, though it may be the footings of the 1562 church that project along the nave walls and the reused roof trusses date from 1562. Above the west doorway is a 16th century three light window and the bell of 163. The slatted priest’s door is a curious anomaly.

After its rebuilding in 1736, it had a tiny railed off communion table in the chancel. With seating on three sides around it, for the use of leading parishioners. A slender oak screen divided the church from the nave, where the pulpit, reading desk and the clerk's seat formed a three decker, and plain oak benches extended to the back of the church.
Extensively restored in 1861, all of this was swept away, with the exception of the west gallery, whereon hangs the coat of arms of George II dated 1737, the original church chest, with its three locks also remains. It was so altered that at a first glance it might be taken for a Victorian church.

One significant addition was the large stained glass east window (dedicated in 1873) by Burne-Jones, Morris and Ford Maddox Brown. Local tradition has it that William Morris and Ford Madox Brown came to Troutbeck on a fishing holiday while Burne-Jones was working on the window, and they stayed to assist him. Burne-Jones also designed one of the windows in the nave.