Crosthwaite, Cumberland

Description
Crosthwaite, an ecclesiastical parish in Cumberland, ir& the basin of the Derwent river. It adjoins Keswick, which is the post town. The population is 2239. The ancient civil parish of Crosthwaite measured 10 miles by 8, and included Keswick and several other townships. The district around Crosthwaite is very beautiful and forms a prominent part, in extent, variety, and richness, of the Lake country, Copper and lead ores with plumbago are found. The living i& a vicarage in the diocese of Carlisle; net value, £291 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Carlisle. The old church stands three-quarters of a mile N of Keswick; is an ancient edifice, with centre and side aisles; and has a hexagonal figured font, a brass of Sir John Ratcliffe, the ancestor of the Earls of Derwentwater, and a beautiful marble monument of the poet Southey, and a handsome reredos made in part by the members of the Keswick School of Industrial Art, and also a mosaic pavement in honour of St Kentigern. Tho first founder of the church was St Mungo, alias St Kentigern, circa 553. There are Wesleyan, Primitive Methodist,, and Congregational chapels, and a meeting-room for Plymouth Brethren, an endowed grammar school, and several charities-See KESWICK.