Holy Trinity Church, Chapel Stile

During the summer holidays, my office colleague asked me to visit Holy Trinity Church, Chapel Stile. I had not visited that church before, so I agreed to them. A day was fixed for the trip. We had already booked a company cab so that we don’t face any difficulty on the way. On the fixed day, we reached Heathrow Airport. The company cab driver was already available at the airport. He warmly greeted us. He took our luggage and placed it in the trunk of the cab. After formal discussion, we start moving towards Holy Trinity Church, Chapel Stile.

Our journey was so long, but we were comfortable because the seats of the cab were very comfortable. company cab driver played a piece of nice music in the cab which we enjoyed a lot. Five and half hours later, we reached the Holy Trinity Church, Chapel Stile. At the base of Silver How, Holy Trinity Church commands a panoramic view of Chapel Stile and the nearby slate quarries. The current Church was constructed in 1857-8 based on a design by Carlisle architects Cory and Ferguson. The Victorian neo-gothic revivalists were fond of the ornate Gothic style, which was popular in Britain in the 14th century. Prior to the Church's construction, services were held in Grasmere.

Local slate, metamorphic grey-green rock of firm, durable quality, was used to construct the Church. For the window surrounds and architraves, contrasting sandstone was chosen. Although not particularly spectacular, the stained glass windows of the church are typical for the time. Burlison and Grylls, a company based in London, made the majority of the windows. Mr and Mrs Dean Walmsley created the St. Francis window in their Great Langdale workshop in 1937–1938. It is made of hand-blown glass that is exceptionally clear, allowing light and colour to enter the church on sunny days. St. Francis is depicted in the centre panel in a Langdale setting, surrounded by the living things he cherished: a red squirrel, house martins, robins, rabbits, oak trees, stone structures, and a stream.

We comment on the building's tranquilly as soon as we arrive. A beautiful timber roof is supported on one side by graceful arches that separate the nave from the north aisle. The three-panelled window facing east depicts the nativity, the crucifixion, and Christ appearing to Thomas. Some claim that Thomas' hesitation to trust without clear evidence is a characteristically Cumbrian feature. The St. Francis window, which stands on your right as you face the altar, is the most intriguing piece of stained glass. It features several typically Langdalian themes, like water, birds, and a red squirrel. It was created in the valley by a local artist whose nephew still resides in the same home.

The Millennium Tapestry is frequently cited by visitors as the trip's high point. Women and schoolchildren from the parish created and embroidered this, which runs along the northern wall. It tells the history of the valley starting with the glacial era and is organised chronologically. Because it is a smaller counterpart of the Westminster clock, the timepiece is occasionally referred to as "Big Ben's country cousin."

Before we depart company cab driver told us that if we need any assistance, he will help us. We start our journey at 7:00 pm, and five and half hours later we arrived at Heathrow Airport. It was a nice experience in my life and it was really amazing.