AN OLD Bible has been returned to its rightful home after more than 140 years.

The Bible had been a gift to the Rev James Carter who was Rural Dean and vicar of St Bridget’s Church, Bridekirk, in the 1880s.

His great great nephews Michael and Stehen Carter agreed that while the Bible had been in the possession of the family for over 140 years, they felt it belonged where it had started..

The embossed leather bound bible, fastened with a silver clasp, was printed in 1860 and presented to James Carter in 1865 by the members of the Gote and Papcastle Bible class.

On the inside cover is a list of members of the class.

It was handed over to the Rev Jane Charman, Rector of St Bridget’s last week by the brothers who had travelled from Chester with their gift.

The family has kept a chair, which was also presented to Mr Carter in 1865 by three other bible classes - those of Bridekirk, Tallentire and Dovenby, which is still used by his great, great, great nephew Richard Carter in Hampshire.

Along with the Bible, they gave a copy of the last sermon preached by their great great uncle at Bridekirk - a sermon that began with reassurance to the congregation that some parts of the old building were to be re-used in the construction of the new church. This wash was completed and consecrated in1870.

It is hoped that both the bible and sermon transcript can be placed on display with in the church for visitors to view.

It is hoped that the Bible and the text of the sermon will be displayed in the church for all to see.

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