Our History

Our story begins in 1662 with four men: George Cockbain, Rev William Campbell, Rev Georg Malcolm and Roger Sawrey of Broughton Tower. These men met together and formed the first Church of Christ at Tottlebank in South Cumbria. George Malcolm and Roger Sawrey were clergy from the Church of England and Roger Sawrey, known as Praying Sawrey due to his piety and strong Christian convictions, had been an officer in Cromwell’s Army.

The congregation grew and continued to meet together until 1826 when members living in Kirkby decided to break away and start a new fellowship nearer to home, meeting at St Mary’s Well in Chapels, Kirkby-in-Furness. In 1855, the fellowship joined the Co-operation of Churches of Christ.

The congregation continued to flourish supported by evangelists such as Francis Hill, Thomas Barr and his son William who were assisted by John Coward and G. Greenwood. More evangelists visited the fellowship, including Church of Christ notables such as Aberconby, Hindle Brown and Scott.

In 1874, Evangelist McDougal took over the ministry of the Group and Open Air meetings were held around the local farmhouses in Kirkby. This led to a mini-Revival in the village with many local farmers and their families being baptised in Kirkby Pool and joining the fellowship. The church continued to grow and in 1876, our present Meeting House was built by many of the men of the congregation who worked in the local slate quarries. McDougal then left Kirkby to start a new fellowship at nearby Lindal-in-Furness.

During the years that followed, many faithful Christians, such as Henry Coward, James Robinson, James Dixon and Jimmy Walker, officiated in the church meetings. George Barr became the leader and some of his family still live in Kirkby. Robert Oxley took over the Ministry and continued until 1891 when he started a new fellowship in Dalton-in-Furness.

Since then, Kirkby Church of Christ continues its worship and witness for Jesus Christ in the village, thankful for the lives and ministries of numerous faithful Christians, many of whose names can be found on the tombstones in our beautiful churchyard.