About us
The Benefice is in the Eskdale valley and includes the four parishes of Eskdale & Boot, Irton, Muncaster and Waberthwaite. Of the four parishes, Eskdale is the only one to have two churches. The Parish Church of St Catherine is about two miles away from the village of Eskdale and Lord Rea donated land in 1890 for a new village school and Chapel of Ease to be built within the village itself. St Bega's Chapel was 'adopted' by the Carlisle diocese in 1990 and services are held in St Catherines and St Bega's on alternate Sundays. The benefice is part of the Calder Deanery, in the Diocese of Carlisle. Services are held at each church fortnightly according to a published schedule. A Benefice service is held in just one of the churches, should there be a fifth Sunday in the month. The monthly list of services is printed in the Parish Magazine and on this website with extra copies being sent to the local Inns.
Weddings, Christenings and Funerals are held at each of the Parish Churches (not St Bega's) and non-residents are welcome to contact Anne Baker about appropriate services.
There are two Church of England Primary schools attached to the benefice; one at Eskdale Green and the other at Waberthwaite. An After-school club runs regularly at Eskdale Primary School and a youth Group meets monthy on Sunday evenings. At St Bega's Church, a monthly childrens club meets in the Village Hall below the church and the children join the service during communion.
Post Office services are provided at St Bega's Church every Monday and Thurday morning from the Sub Post Office in Holmrook. There is also a permanent Photographic Exhibition of local life at St Bega's Church.
Our churches are always open and visitors are always welcome both to look around and to attend our services.
A monthly Parish Magazine is published and is distributed by hand to every resident in the Benefice and by post to non-resident subscribers. See a specimen copy.
A list of Bible versions 'approved' for public use during services will be found under 'Which bible' on the main menu.
We wish all success to Jo and Rose Staniforth who are opening Jossy Betty's Tea Room in St Bega's Village Hall which will be open at weekends and Bank Holidays from 11am - 3pm Click here for more information