Pictures of Warton

About Warton

This pleasant Lancashire village lies in open countryside a short distance from the wide sweep of Morecambe Bay. It is known for its connections with the U.S.A, as the home of ancestors of George Washington, who on April 30th 1789 became the first President of the United States.

Mostly, tourist come here to visit the church dedicated to St.Oswald, which is believed to have existed since 1100. The church we see today, has parts dating back to pre 1300 but is mostly of 14th century build. It has an embattled clock tower adorned with graceful pinnacles, this is thought to have been paid for by the Washington family. A memorial to Elizabeth and Thomas Washington dated 1715 is placed at the east end of the church. The arms of the family once decorated the tower but are now preserved inside the church. These, with three mullets and two bars, could easily be the inspiration for the Stars and Stripes. The last member of the English Washington family, Thomas Washington, was vicar of Warton until 1823.

Two quite interesting similarities exist within the church. The family tree of the Washington's and a family tree showing the descent of Sir Winston Churchill from Robert Kitson of Warton Hall.

In spite of its roughcast appearance (rendering was thought essential to protect the stonework from the severity of winds blowing across Morecambe Bay) the church has a most impressive interior with several fine stained glass windows including the east window, attributed to Hughes, dating 1856. There are many other treasures in this lovely house of God, which sits quietly in a churchyard surrounded by green sloping lawns covered by the graves of centuries.

Warton is a pleasant village to visit. It is interesting not simply for the church but it is in a site considered to be of special scientific interest, quite possibly the home of early man. Its close proximity to the coast makes it ideal as a base for touring historic Lancashire towns and the coast.