Hutton Roof and Newbiggin

Between the Lakes and the Dales

St John's Church

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This site is provided and maintained by Hutton Roof Village Hall
St John's Church is part of the Rainbow Parish centred on Kirkby Lonsdale.
Regular services:
2nd Sunday of the month : Morning Service 11am
4th Sunday of the month : Holy Communion 11am

The most celebrated vicar of Hutton Roof was the Rev Theodore Bayley Hardy, VC, DSO, MC. 2018 was the 100th anniversary of his death. For more information or access to the church please contact Anne Huntington at the village post office or phone on 015242 71213

World Film Premiere of the film "Hardy VC - His life and Ministry 1863 - 1918" at Hutton Roof

This film, a Charlie Shea-Simonds production for the Museum of Army Chaplaincy, was first shown at a packed Hutton Roof Village Hall on 29th January 2010. The evening was presented by Charlie Shea-Simonds and the other members of the production team were also present along with many distinguished visitors and villagers.

A Thanksgiving Service for the life of T.B. Hardy was held at St. John’s Church on Sunday 19th October 2008.
82 people attended the service, coming from all over the country. The address was given by the Reverend P. A. Eagles, C.F., the Assistant Chaplain General.
The very moving service was followed by refreshments at the nearby Village Hall. Here there were also displays of pictures and documents provided by Anne Huntington from Hutton Roof Post Office and from Bentham Grammer School from the time when Hardy was its headmaster. Full Report including pictures and sound

It is thought there has been a church at Hutton Roof as early as the 13th Century. The present church was designed by Paley and Austin and consecrated in 1881.

Laying the Foundation Stone -
25th June 1880

A full report was printed in the Lancaster Guardian and is transcribed here with their kind permission.
Consecration of the Church - 
9th August 1881

A full report was printed in the Westmorland Gazette and is transcribed here with their kind permission.
1881 - 2006 : 125th Anniversary

The church was 125 years old in 2006. On Country Fair and Fell Race Day (Saturday 27th May 2006) a lovely display of the history of the last 125 years was put on. See photos of the displays and the anniversary trip to the Somme.

Our Rector, the Rev Canon Graham Bettridge retired in 2006. His last service at Hutton Roof was on 5th March 2006.
war memorial

There is an interesting article on the church in Winter 2005/6 newsletter of the Kirkby Lonsdale & District Civic Society.

Rev Theodore Bayley Hardy, VC, DSO, MC.

The Rev Theodore Bayley Hardy, VC, DSO, MC, vicar of Hutton Roof from 1913 to 1918 is the most decorated non-combatant in the First World War.

Although in his 50s, the Rev Hardy was determined to join up to serve at the front. It took alot of persistence to persuade the authorities of this, but in 1917 he was with the 8th Lincolns at the Battle of Passchendaele.

In September of 1917 he was awarded his first decoration, the Distinguished Service Order and just over a month later in October the Military Cross.

For three very brave and selfless actions carried out on the 5th, 25th and 27th of April the Reverend Hardy was awarded the highest honour, the Victoria Cross. When he heard of his VC nomination his reaction was typical of the man, "I really must protest".

The Rev Hardy's Victoria Cross was presented by the King, at Frohen-le-Grand on 9th August 9th 1918. On September 17th he was appointed Chaplain to His Majesty. The King hoped that he would be able to prise the Reverend Hardy away from the dangers of the frontline but he refused all offers to leave "the boys".

Past and Present Clergy of Hutton Roof

1222

Richard the Clerk

1292

John the Clerk

1544

Richard Layton

Clerk

1544

John Tunstall

Chaplain

1662

Mr Teatham

Minister

1674-1690

Giles Baly

Curate

1702

William Burrow

Curate

1774

William Sedswick

Curate

1799

J. Dobson

Curate

1838-39

W.C. Stewart

Curate

1842-46

J.H.F. Kendall

Curate

1846-47

H.J. Lodington

Curate

1847-58

Richard Hodgson

Incumbent

1858-66

W.N. Dampier

Incumbent

1866-1906

D.S.Spedding

1906-13

H. Remington

1913 -18

T.B.Hardy V.C. D.S.O. M.C.

1919-24

H.A. Haggard

1924-38

C. Gathorne

1938-51

W. Breay

1951-62

J.H.Vinehall

1963-69

P.M. Smith

Last Incumbent

1969-73

H.A.L Rice

Priest in Charge

1973-81

J.M. How

Rector of Kirkby Lonsdale

1981-2006

G. Bettridge

Rector of Kirkby Lonsdale Team Ministry

1983-86

J. Reader

Team vicar

1986-90

L.J. Peat

Team Vicar

1990-95

J.Eastwood

Team vicar

1995-2004

R.J.A. Mitchell

Team Vicar

2004-

A. Whittaker

Team Vicar

All content and images © Hutton Roof Village Hall 2006 2007 2008 unless otherwise stated