The current Parish Church of the Holy Spirit was constructed in the extended grounds of the former St Cuthberts church. The construction of the new church of the Holy Spirit began in 1884 and the church was consecrated on 25th November 1886. The old church of St Cuthbert was demolished some time later.
The earliest reference to a church in Distington is a Papal Bull dated 12th August 1181, although it is not known what form, or precisely where the church in Distington was at that time, although it seems likely to have been within the old churchyard where St Cuthbert’s church stood.
There is some debate about the age of St Cuthberts church. The style and shape of the remaining chancel arch would indicate a date of construction in the 14th Century, possibly as early as 1330 when Roberto de Warthcoppe was Rector. When the church was demolished in the late 19th Century, fragments of carved stone were found amongst the rubble fill within the walls, indicating an earlier stone construction. None of the fragments found are later than 14th Century.
The Church of St Cuthbert was built in a small roughly circular churchyard, and this was extended southwards in 1876, allowing the construction of the new church. St Cuthberts church had fallen into some disrepair, with the Whitehaven News reporting on 26th June 1884 that it was “ill ventilated, and damp, and the woodwork is rotten…The building, either from an exterior or interior point of view could certainly never lay claim to beauty, and some might be disposed to say that it lacked the appearance of ordinary decency. It would seem at all events that a somewhat vivid sense of its inappropriateness as a place for public worship has moved the influential people of the parish to build a church more in keeping with modern ideas of fitness.”
The church tower is somewhat shorter than originally intended, as funds did not permit its completion. There are rumours that it was once intended to have a spire!
The Church Today
The church sits at the heart of a community for whom it has been the family church for generations. Worship is traditional and we are delighted to welcome all. As a place of stability, prayer, and shared memory, the Church of the Holy Spirit continues to play a significant role in village life — celebrating life’s milestones, offering comfort in times of need, and providing a spiritual home for anyone seeking a sense of peace and belonging. We remain committed to serving Distington with warmth, care, and a deep-rooted sense of Christian hope.
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