SOME of the best church buildings of the Victorian era in South Cumbria are the work of the Lancaster-based architectural firm of Paley and Austin.

They reflect the influence of new men of wealth and were provided for the rapidly growing industrial communities of Furness.

There was also a desire by many surrounding villages to have grander and more

comfortable buildings for worship – at a time when the vast majority regularly went to church.

Just how big an influence the firm had on the district’s skyline can be seen in a new exhibition at the Cumbria Archive and Local Studies Centre at Ramsden Square, Barrow, which can be seen until the end of May.

The churches and chapels were often the work of the company’s top designers – Edmund Sharpe, Edward Graham Paley and Hubert James Austin.

The firm was founded in 1836 by Sharpe, being joined in 1845 by Paley and Austin in

1868.

At Millom they designed St George’s Church and all its fittings – except the lectern – which was built between 1874 and 1877 for a total cost of £12,000.

In 1872 the company – using the false name In Montibus – won a contest funded with 20 guineas by Barrow industrialist Henry Schneider to design mountain chapels for the Bishop of Carlisle.

The company also provided the designs for a set of four “temporary” churches for the growing town of Barrow – named after the saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

St Marks, which was opened in 1878, was the only one not to have been  completely rebuilt through the passing decades.

The original churches were expected to last 25 years.

Paley and Austin came up with plans for a new St Mary the Virgin Church at Walney.

The foundation stone was laid in 1907 and it was dedicated in 1908 – but not completed until 1930.

Other churches built to designs from Paley and Austin include John the Evangelist at Osmotherley and Holy Trinity at Seathwaite – both in 1874.

There is also the Presbyterian Church in Barrow and restoration work at Cartmel Priory.

The firm also designed St Mary’s Church at Dalton, St Luke’s at Torver and John the Baptist at Flookburgh.

Designs for restoration work or enlargements were also provided for St Mary’s Church, Ulverston and the Mary Magdalene Church in Broughton.

The exhibition, which includes the firm’s work on schools, factories, railway stations and houses, can be seen during normal archive opening days, which are on Wednesdays to Fridays from 9.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.