Can you identify the following churches?

If you enjoy the challenge of identifying churches, try here as well.
 

A photograph of a church, perhaps taken in Victoria's reign, possibly either in Flintshire (maybe near Mold or Buckley), or Cumberland (perhaps in the Maryport/Dovenby/Little Broughton area). © David Knowles.

This Victorian silver box belonging to Peter Cameron has a church on the lid. Note the tower design. Can you name it? After languishing for years without any suggestions at all, Rob Robinson has proposed St. Bees Priory in Cumbria (properly the Priory church of St. Mary & St. Bega), and offered the following link in support - link. I think the suggestion is a good one.

Two from Ray Harrington-Vail. The first, now solved, is of a church porch, in a photo dated 1968. Although the caption on the photo indicates it as being Lavenham, Ray thinks it isn't. He's right. Janet Gimber has identified it as being St. Peter and St. Paul, at Clare. Link. The second, of a church interior, could perhaps be in Kent or Surrey.

Paul Way is seeking help with the location of a church in a painting. It was handed down by a relative who lived in the Hove area, but of course it may not be from that area. The artist is unknown, but it probably dates from around 1850. Close-up.

Roger Hopkins found a box of Victorian negatives, and the only clue to the whereabouts of the photos was one negative labelled "Moortown Church". Despite his searches through the numerous Moortown's in Britain and Ireland, he's been unable to identify the church. Now solved (see Weare Giffard below). Following the discovery of the location of the church, Roger has been able to discover that what was described as a church entrance is in fact at the adjacent Weare Giffard Hall. The final Unknown - an interior view remains unidentified thus far.

Church interior. This photo is taken from the better of a pair of stereo photos dating from about 1860-1880. From Alan Finn's Collection.

Ian Lewis has sent in the unveiling of a war memorial. It may possibly be in Cumbria, but can you identify it?

These churches are from Reg Dosell's Collection. 9, 10.

Some unknowns from Steve Bulman's postcard collection - 3 and 5 provide no clues. Janet Gimber has suggested that no. 5 has the appearance of Eastern European churches. It would be a real achievement if that could be confirmed, with a location!! 7 was posted to an address on Anglesey, stamped (though not franked) in the reign of Edward VII (1901-1910).

Ian has also sent in this old photo in the hope of an identification.

Lyn Thompson has asked if anyone can identify this church. She has family connections in Worcestershire, Hampshire and Wiltshire, though it needn't be in these counties of course. Although the church cannot be seen in its entirety, the sun-dial should help. Lyn thinks it may date to circa 1900.

A Sussex church, probably in the Brighton area. Can you advise Stefan Bremner-Morris where it is?

Peter Boyce would like to learn where this painting was produced. It's by R.O. Dunlop R.A. whose floruit was in the 1950's and 1960's. Painted in a rather impressionistic style, it won't be easy to place, but he lived near Chichester, and painted widely in Sussex and further afield in southern England.

The following are all from John Bowdler's Collection - 3 an interior, and 6 another interior, 10 is perhaps a private chapel.

Brad and Steph MacDonald inherited these large framed photos (1, 2) from a relative who lived in North Cornwall. They believe they are over 100 years old. Can you tell them where the church is located?

John Bowdler has an old postcard without any indication of the location. Can you place this church? 5.

This one was always going to be very difficult, but worth the effort! Simon Aldworth had asked for help in identifying the church in some wedding photos. Although they are in a wedding album, in the family's possession, he doesn't know the people involved, who are named as "Russie and Jack", and who seem to have been married April 29th, 1933. The firm of photographers is still in existence, but they have had no luck in finding out any details either. The church is not shown clearly, but the windows may be identifiable to someone who knows the church well. Photo 1. Photo2. The next two show groups walking up the churchyard path, and standing against what appears to be the churchyard railings. The buildings opposite suggest a large town, which might tie in with the photographer who was London-based. Photo 3. Photo 4.
Simon Davies suggested the Savoy Chapel in central London. In more recent years, he explains, the churchyard has had its gravestones removed and been landscaped.
However, upon enquiring with the appropriate archive, Simon has been told that there were no weddings with those names and on those dates at the Savoy Chapel.
Perhaps you can help??

Peter Ord from British Columbia has asked for help in identifying the location where a family wedding photograph was taken. Peter says that his wife's family were from the Midlands. My guess would be that the photo was taken further east, as the walls appear to be of flintwork. In any event, the armorials around the door are distinctive, and should help.

David Jones is trying to identify a Primitive Methodist Chapel. Above the door is a date, perhaps 1856.

A drawing of a church from 1882. Believed to be in the Stamford area, can you give Martin Dean an identification?

An usual query this time - Greg Mishevski is interested in the location for a scene in the film "Girl in the Headlines" (1963), which shows a cemetery chapel. He's provided two stills - 1, 2.

Also from Greg, the still "sec002" here is from the film Secret Ceremony (1968). An identified church from the same film is on still "sec007/a/b" here, and is St. Mary Magdalene in Paddington, but doesn't appear to be the same church. Sec002 also has some resemblance to Victorian breweries or other industrial buildings, so it may just be a background building rather than a church.
Certainly a church is still "sta002" here, from the film Staircase (1969). Greg thinks it could possibly be in the Wimbledon area.
Can you identify either location?

Jens Petter Kvande in Sweden has a painting dated 1880, and attributed to James Hamilton, R.S.A. This is probably James Whitelaw Hamilton, R.S.A., who lived in Helensburgh. The painting reminds me of the Romney Marshes. Although it doesn't show the church in any detail, it is evidently a large church, and there may be another smaller one to the right. Can you identify the location? Simon Davies has made a strong case for it being the Abbaye de Cerisy la Foret in Normandy, France. Wikipedia entry here.

More postcards from Judy Flynn's collection. The first is an interior - the only clue is that written on the back is "Barton, Lancs." There are at least 2 Barton's in Lancashire. St. Alban at Sunningdale is possibly the demolished one mentioned here (just beneath the church photo), but positive proof would be welcome. The postcard was posted in 1905.

Now, a couple from my own (Steve Bulman's) Collection. First a rather grand interior, decked out for Christmas celebrations. Next, another interior, very plain in contrast to the last one.

We've had some success identifying churches used in films - here's another. Ian Stapleton has sent in two frames (1, 2) from Haunters of the Deep (1984). It was filmed mostly in Cornwall, with village scenes in Portloe, but the church isn't the one in Portloe (shown here on Geograph). Greg Mishevski has suggested Holy Trinity, Botleys and Lyne, Surrey. There is certainly nothing that contradicts this in the following photographs on Geograph (1, 2), and the Google Earth view from the road (search for botleys holy trinity) is supportive, even as far as the types and positions of trees. However, the film still was evidently taken from the rear of the church, and myself and others have been unable to find a photo on-line taken from that direction. If you can find a photo, or even better, visit the church and take one - definitive proof would be excellent.

Recently Solved (Older solved Unknown's have been archived here).

Alderley Edge, Cheshire, St. Philip. Original entry in as follows - "This excellent pencil sketch belongs to Martyn Smith, and he is understandably keen to identify the location. My only suggestions are that it looks Victorian rather than medieval, and that the gate looks more central/southern England than northern England. Can you identify it?" My appreciation to both Phil Draper and Greg Mishevski for providing the identification.

Bromham, Wilts., St. Nicholas, on High Street. Another old postcard from Steve Bulman's Collection, this one has the caption deleted as part of the postcard itself. Identified by Greg Mishevski and Simon Davies. Grade I listed - link.

Gulval, Cornwall, St. Gulval on Posses Lane. "Helen Howes has an old family photograph, showing Isabella Gee in a churchyard. She lived in Oxford, though of course the photo may not be of there." My appreciation to Greg Mishevski for the identification, who also advises that the spelling of the Saint has been at various times Gudwal, Gulval and Gulwal. Link. Grade II* listed - link.

King's Lynn, St. Nicholas. An old postcard from Steve Bulman's Collection, identified by Simon Davies, Brian Curtis, and Janet Gimber.

Lanteglos-by-Fowey. From John Bowdler's Collection - an old postcard shows lovely carved pews. Identified by "Stiffleaf", who has many more photos of the church on Flickr.

Milton, Portsmouth, the long-demolished St. James (1841). Seen here in a postcard from Judy Flynn's Collection, it was identified by Brian Curtis and Simon Davies. Proof of its identity can be seen in the Google Earth view of the present church, by comparing the pillars and wall with those in the postcard. It was demolished to make way for the present day church, consecrated in 1913.

Prestwick, South Ayrshire, St. Cuthbert (1837) on Monkton Road (Monkton and Prestwick Parish Church). Another postcard from Judy Flynn's collection. Original entry as follows - "The next is clearly labelled as "Monkton", but there are many Monkton's in the UK, and even more where Monkton is part of the place-name". Rapidly identified by Janet Gimber, Simon Davies, and Greg Mishevski. Greg also advises that this was New Life Christian Fellowship in 2004. Both Simon and Greg suggest that there have been changes to the body of the church. Link.

Sittingbourne, St. Michael. A postcard from Judy Flynn's collection of St. Michael in "S. Bourne", has been shown by Simon Davies, Greg Mishevski and Janet Gimber to be of St. Michael in Sittingbourne, Kent.

South Brewham, Somerset. St. John the Baptist. Another of Judy Flynn's postcard, here's the original entry - "Bruham is a puzzler. There's no such place-name as far as I can find, and I've ruled out the simple transposition Burham, and the similar sounding Brougham and Bruan". Solved by Janet Gimber, Simon Davies, and Greg Mishevski. Link. Grade II* listed - link.

Thorpe-on-the-Hill, Lincs., the former John Hunt Memorial Wesleyan Chapel (1910) on Fosse Lane. Another postcard from Judy Flynn's collection. This one has a hand-written "Thorpe Chapel" on the back, and was identified by Simon Davies and Janet Gimber, and Greg Mishevski. Greg advises that it was named in honour of John Hunt, the Methodist Missionary to Fiji. It closed in 1997, and is now a private residence. Flickr has a modern view.

Titchfield, Hants., St. Peter. Another old postcard from Judy Flynn, it was solved by Janet Gimber. Compare with the other entry on the website - here (© David Packman at http://www.hampshirecam.co.uk/). Note the unfortunate dormer windows on the vestry(?). When was was this done?

Weare Giffard, Devon, Holy Trinity. Roger Hopkins found a box of Victorian negatives, and the only clue to the whereabouts of the photos was one negative labelled "Moortown Church". Despite his searches through the numerous Moortown's in Britain and Ireland, he'd been unable to identify the church, and despite much effort by other keen church detectives, its identity remained undiscovered for a long time. Greg Mishevski finally solved the mystery, though the other two negatives from the same box appear not to be from the same church (see main section above).

West Bromwich. This old postcard (from Judy Flynn's collection) of a now demolished church in West Bromwich has been identified as Carters Green Wesleyan Methodist Church by Greg Mishevski, Janet Gimber and Brian Curtis. Genuki lists registers for 1864 - 1948.

Whittlesey, Cambs. Judy Flynn has an old postcard of a church interior, and labelled as "St. Mary, W'sea". It was bought understanding that it was in Yorkshire, but have been unable to find a likely candidate.  Thanks to Phil Draper and Simon Davies for the identification.

Yeadon, West Yorkshire - now shown to Colin Waters' satisfaction that it has never been a church. The original entry follows - "Unusually, we know where this building is - it's on Miry Lane, Yeadon, West Yorkshire. Colin has made enquiries locally, and all the information he can find is that it used to be a mill. But it looks so much like a church that there may be more to it. Colin has seen a map of ca. 1803 which shows two chapels in the vicinity, but it isn't clear enough to confirm whether either is the mill. © Colin Waters Collection (2010). Brian Curtis has written to say that he's been examining the 1851 map on http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html, where the woollen mill and two chapels are shown distinctly. Brian suggests that the mill was always just that, and the churchy looking tower may have been to accommodate a pumping engine (or perhaps water tanks), with the ecclesiastical appearance intended to make the building blend in."

Older solved Unknown's have been archived here.