Prior to the submission of a planning application for the redevelopment of St Michael's Church, Rampside Road, Rampside, Cumbria, Greenlane Archaeology was commissioned to carry out an archaeological desk-based assessment and building recording which took place in November 2025. The church is not a Listed Building but the site and building are of historical and archaeological interest. The church probably originated as a chapel in the medieval period, although there is widespread evidence for human activity in the surrounding and immediate area from the prehistoric period onwards. Of particular interest is a Viking period sword that was found in the grave yard in 1909, and a dagger found in the 19th century, both of which indicate that the area was used for burial from an early date, presumably preceding the establishment of the chapel. The church was apparently subject to some rebuilding in the early 17th century, due to the presence of a datestone of 1621, before being entirely rebuilt in 1840. The documentary sources indicate that there were several subsequent periods of alteration and addition to the church, including repairs carried out following damage caused during WWII. The desk-based assessment identified 10 sites of archaeological interest already recorded within the vicinity of the church, including the church itself, and stray finds made in the churchyard. It was considered that there was some potential for remains dating from the prehistoric period onwards could also be present. The building recording revealed that much of the surviving church fabric relates to the period of rebuilding in 1840, although it is possible that this incorporates some earlier material, now hidden behind the external render and internal plaster. The porch to the south and vestry to the north were clearly added later, recorded as being 1866, and the chancel was added in 1892. The building was clearly subject to further improvements in the 1920s, such as the restructuring of the roof and rerendering the exterior, and some more recent alterations were also made. The building represents a locally historically noteworthy structure with considerable potential for more archaeological remains to be present. It is suggested that the proposed septic tank be located in the north-west corner of the churchyard, where there are no evident gravestones, and away from the apparent location of the Viking sword discovery. Nevertheless, further archaeological investigation is recommended.
Elsworth et al. (Wed,) studied this question.