Nestled under an arc of steep-sided hills, Saint Eadmer's Church occupies a picturesque location in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is located in the secluded hamlet of Bleasdale (“Blesi’s Valley” or “The Bare Spot on the Hillside”), which lies approximately 7 miles east of the Lancashire town of Garstang (“Spear Post”), in the upper valley of the River Brock.
The first church on the site was in fact constructed back in 1577 but it gradually fell into disrepair. The church was rebuilt in 1835 by John Dewhurst and restored/enlarged in 1897.
St Eadmer's Church has a unique dedication, celebrating the Northumbrian monk who discovered the site of Durham Cathedral. Saint Eadmer’s at Bleasdale is the only church in England dedicated to that saint. He was a 10th century Northumbrian monk and apparently it was revealed to him in a vision that the body of Saint Cuthbert should be taken to Durham (“Island with a Hill”) for re-burial, after it had been removed from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne (“Island of the Travellers from Lindsey”) which was starting to come under attack from marauding Vikings. Durham Cathedral would later be constructed over Saint Cuthbert’s tomb and this may explain why the church at Bleasdale was dedicated to Saint Eadmer.
Paul.
The first church on the site was in fact constructed back in 1577 but it gradually fell into disrepair. The church was rebuilt in 1835 by John Dewhurst and restored/enlarged in 1897.
St Eadmer's Church has a unique dedication, celebrating the Northumbrian monk who discovered the site of Durham Cathedral. Saint Eadmer’s at Bleasdale is the only church in England dedicated to that saint. He was a 10th century Northumbrian monk and apparently it was revealed to him in a vision that the body of Saint Cuthbert should be taken to Durham (“Island with a Hill”) for re-burial, after it had been removed from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne (“Island of the Travellers from Lindsey”) which was starting to come under attack from marauding Vikings. Durham Cathedral would later be constructed over Saint Cuthbert’s tomb and this may explain why the church at Bleasdale was dedicated to Saint Eadmer.
Paul.
