Holy Trinity Church

The church was built in 1840 as a 'chapel of ease' under the parish of Westward. At this time there was no provision for burials which meant that all burials took place in the churchyard at Westward, the neighbouring community. In 1868 the new ecclesiastical parish of Rosley was formed: land was purchased from Miss Rook of the Height in 1889, to create a burial ground, and consecrated by the Bishop of Carlisle on 28th January 1889.

As part of the parish millennium celebrations a new window was commissioned and installed in the church.  Alex Haynes was responsible for the design and the window was made by Albion Glass, Brampton.

Mary and child, flanked by farm animals, sit at the foot of the window. The middle section shows the church, the school and the village hall.  In the top section the Light literally and symbolically casts a glow on the sections beneath as it shines through the cross of Jesus Christ.  The cross is growing from the Tree of Life linking heaven with the earth of this community.  The whole window is adorned with flowers and local wildlife.

There are four other picture windows in the church. The east window, depicting Ascension, is dedicated to the memory of Mr D Jennings and his wife who were generous benefactors of the church at the end of the C19. The window on the right as the church is entered is dedicated to the memory of Edward Bewley, a member of the parish who died of dysentry during the first World War. The picture is that of a knight kneeling before Christ with his sword and shield on the ground. Other windows illustrate the Sermon on the Mount and Christ, the Good Shepherd.

The church has been fortunate in its vicars who have, in the main, remained with the Parish for many years.  The present incumbent, the Reverend Norman Robinson, lives in Rosley's new vicarage and is also responsible for the churches in the neighbouring parishes of Thursby, Welton and Westward.

Remembered in Rosley is a publication created by members of the community in 2005. The book details all the inscriptions found on headstones in Rosley graveyard together with those of the people of Rosley who were buried in Westward cemetery before Holy Trinity was built.  Please see our publications page for more details.