NEW CHURCHES IN HOLME CULTRAM. -- The parish of Holme Cultram is sixteen miles in length, and averages about six in breadth, comprising an area equal in extent to two-thirds of the county of Rutland, which contains upwards of fifty churches. The number of villages in Holme Cultram is nearly forty and the population about 3,500, almost entirely agricultural.
The Parish Church is situate very near the eastern boundary of the parish, and is consequently accessible, from distance, to a large proportion of the adult inhabitants, while a still larger proportion of the children of the parish are precluded from the benefit of the regular catechetical instruction of their parochial minister. A subscription has for some time been going on to erect a church in the quarter of St Cuthbert; and application was made to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for an endowment; but this application being refused, a change has taken place in the plan of proceeding. Under the advice and recommendation of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, it proposed to erect two chapels instead of one; the other to be placed at or near Causeway Head, in the neighbourhood of Green Row, Skinburness, and Calva*. The estimated expense of the two chapels, including the purchase of the sites and burying-grounds, is £1,400. For the endowment, £1,000 must, if possible, be raised, upon which his lordship, the Bishop, has promised to consecrate the two chapels; which will, for a time at least, be served by one curate, whose salary will receive augmentation from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
To raise this sum of £1,000, the Bishop has kindly promised £50, and a gentleman has offered £100, if sixteen others will give £50 each. Subscriptions, amounting to £213, have been received from the resident proprietors in the Low Holme, and £24 7s. from farmers in the Quarter of St. Cuthbert. The Rev. Vaughan THOMAS has generously subscribed £100; Charles JOLLIFFE, Esq. £30; Robert BENSON, Esq., Cockermouth, Samuel RIGG, Wigton, Mr. BEECHY, BIRKBY, and Miss NASON, (a second subscription), £10 each; the Rev. T. CORNTHWAITE, Sir Henry FLETCHER, Bart., G. HORROCKS, Esq., Preston, C.P. BANSFIELD, Esq., the Rev. Chancellor FLETCHER, the Rev. Richard MATTHEWS, J. M. STRACHAN, Esq., Miss MARSHALL, Halsteads, Mrs. WILDE, and Miss FERGUSON, Lowther-street. -- £5 each. These, with the subscriptions formerly acknowledged, and many sums under £5, more recently received, amount altogether to £1,141. As there are no resident gentry of affluence in the parish, the destitute state of its inhabitants, as regards public worship and pastoral superintendence, is most respectfully submitted to the benevolent consideration of all who value the blessings and privileges of our National Church.
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Carlisle Patriot 
