Arnside Parish
Arnside's religious history dates back to when the village was just a small hamlet in the parish of Beetham, requiring residents to trek the perilous "Coffin Route" over Beetham Fell for burials. Today, the village is home to three main churches: St James' Church (Anglican), Arnside Methodist Church, and Our Lady of Lourdes (Roman Catholic).
St James' Church (Church of England)
- History: Before 1866, Arnside residents attended services at Beetham. To save villagers the arduous journey, local services were first held in a private home in the 1840s.
- Construction: The foundation stone for St James' was laid in September 1864, and the church was officially built between 1864 and 1866 to the design of architect Miles Thompson.
- Expansion: As the village grew, the church was extended multiple times. The western extension was completed in 1884, followed by a northern expansion in 1905, and a south aisle added in 1912–1914 by the notable Lancaster architectural firm Austin and Paley.
- Details: The church features a striking clerestory, a chancel near the altar, and unique dormer windows on the south aisle roof. You can find local service schedules on A Church Near You.
Arnside Methodist Church
- History: Methodism took root in the village in the mid-19th century, with early services hosted by Robert Gibson at Tower Farm.
- Development: The original section of the current church building on Silverdale Road opened in 1876 in memory of Robert Gibson.
- Expansion & Renovation: A hall was added in 1888, and major structural extensions combining the original building with a new nave were completed in 1900. Inside, there is a prominent "Peace Window" installed in 1921 to commemorate the end of the Great War. A major interior renovation was completed in 2006.
- Resources: For current events and opening times, visit the Arnside Methodist Church website.
Our Lady of Lourdes (Roman Catholic)
- History: Following the Reformation, local Catholics initially attended services at Leighton Hall and Yealand. The first Mass in Arnside was recorded in a private home in 1926.
- Establishment: Later in 1926, a Catholic church was set up in a vacated Educational Institute on Pier Lane, which served the parish for over 50 years.
- Current Premises: In 1977, the church relocated to its current building on Silverdale Road, which originally served as the first Arnside National School. The church sits under the pastoral care of the Kent Estuary Catholic Churches.
Arnside Christians Together (A.C.T.)
The three churches maintain a close bond today, organizing joint services during key seasons like Advent, Lent, and Easter. They collaborate on community events, such as 'Messy Church' for families and 'Monthly Manna' fellowship meetings.
