156 REPOET OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1897 



Appendix. 

 Notes on Kirkharle. By the President. 



The pretty little church is dedicated to 8. Wilfrid. It 

 consists of nave and chancel of late 14th century work, sub- 

 stantial in character, and possessing considerable dignity. 

 The tracery of the windows is deserving of notice. The west 

 gable, surmounted by a bell turret, was rebuilt in the early 

 part of the 18th century, and the bellcote was renewed by the 

 Rev. Mr Clarkson, who was incumbent 1771-78. 



A complete restoration, conservative and chaste, was effected 

 in 1882-84 by G. Anderson, Esq., of Little Harle Tower, owner 

 of the estate and patron of the benefice, under the advice and 

 superintendence of the late Mr Johnson, architect. The chancel 

 contains three sedilia and a piscina, also a " low side " window 

 in both the north and south walls. There is also a piscina on 

 the east wall of the nave on the north side, and another in an 

 unusual position — if it is not rather the holy water-stoup at the 

 west end of the south wall. The beautiful 15th century font, 

 near the present vestry door, was taken from the ruined church 

 of All Saints, Newcastle-on-Tyne, after the fire. An engraving 

 of the font will be found in Brand's Newcastle. The communion 

 plate, which was exhibited, is described in the Transactions of 

 the Newcastle Antiquarian Society. The present vicar, the 

 Eev. F. W. Barker, thinks that one of the pewter plates has on 

 it a tiny representation of Elijah fed by ravens, though it is 

 almost obliterated. 



The oldest Register of baptisms begins in 1695, and contains 

 marriages and burials in 1692 to 1758 in one book. There is a 

 Register of constables, overseers, and accounts from 1770 to 

 1836. There was apparently some difficulty either financially or 

 from prejudice to comply with the instruction to keep registers, 

 as appear from a note at the beginning of these records : — 

 " Register bought by Richard Wood, clerk. Master of Arts, 

 and vicar of Kirkharle, the 6th of August 1695, in the 27th 

 year of his incumbency there, and after many solicitations from 

 his parishoners to buy the same." Witness Thomas Wharton. 



In the Injunctions, etc., of Richard Barnes, Bishop of Durham, 

 1575-1587, in the reign of Elizabeth, Kirkharle is a vicarage 

 valued at £iii. viiis and iiiit^ [£20] and in the gift of Robt. 



