Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1903 — An Architectural Curiosity. [ARTICLE]

An Architectural Curiosity.

, There are many churches throughout England which are without tower or spire, but there are few cfyirches which can boast of having a tower and spire side by side. One of these Is the parish church of Ormsklrk In Lancashire. The tower Is bnilt over the porch at the west end, and the spire is placed as closely as possible to It. The origin of this architectural freak has not been ascertained, but there Is a tradition to the effect that when Orme, the Baxon pirate from whom the town derives its name, decided to construct a kirk, or church, as an expiatory offering for his evil deeds., hls two daughters quarreled over the

design* for the structure. One deter* mined to have *a fewer, "the other wa* equally resolved to have a steeple. As neither Qf them would give way the pirate chief acceded to both their wishes, and the curious may siee the tower and spire still keeping watch side by side on the surrounding country.