CHAPTER VII:
THE PARISH CHURCH.
The history of a Parish has very well been said to "centre round the history of its ancient Parish Church." The particular account and description of the Church has only been so long postponed in this volume, in order that the description might include the latest additions to its dignity and beauty.
There was occasion in the first Chapter to speak of the existence of a Church at Cawthorne at the time of the Domesday Survey of 1086, the only one existing in what is now the Rural Deanery of Silkstone, and mention of it has frequently been made in connection with the various Charters in which it is named. Of this early Saxon Church—built of wood, probably, as most Saxon Churches were—there is no trace whatever existing at the present time beyond the remains of a Churchyard Cross discovered in the recent Restoration, and of which there is little doubt that it dates before the Norman Conquest. The shaft was found near the foundation of the late Chancel Arch, on the South side, built in as mere material; the Cross which surmounted it, and may possibly have been an original Consecration Cross of the Church or Churchyard, was discovered over the middle pier of the North wall of the Nave, hidden under many coats of whitewash.
The present Church dates from the early part of the Thirteenth century, to which date may be assigned the piers and arches of the North side, though they have since been considerably altered if not altogether rebuilt, retaining their original character of structure.
The Church consists of a Tower and Nave with North and South Aisles and a Chancel with aisles, the South Aisle of the Nave having been lengthened and entirely rebuilt during the recent Restoration; the Chancel has been considerably lengthened, and a new South Chancel Aisle been added, whilst new Roofs have been erected throughout the entire fabric.
