Captain Cook and the Church

“I, who hope ambition leads me not only further than any other man has been before me, but as far as I think it possible for a man to go…”
James Cook – 1774

Marton’s most distinguished son, Captain James Cook, R.N., F.R.S., was born on 27th October 1728, one of nine children of a farm labourer in the village of Marton.

The epic voyages of James Cook, his skill as a seaman and mapmaker, are well known.

James Cook was baptised at St. Cuthbert’s Church, Marton, on 3rd November 1728. The church register from that time is proudly displayed in the church, in a case made especially for it and records:

“James ye son of James Cook day labourer baptied”

(Note:Mother’s names were not recorded until 1777)

In the Church on the South Wall you will find a ‘MEMORIAL TO CAPTAIN JAMES COOK’. This was originally erected by the Parishioners of Marton in 1812, removed during the 1840 re-build, incorporated in the Captain Cook Memorial School built at that time and returned to the Church in 1989 when the Parish sold the School. (See ‘History of the Church’ Page for more details)

James was born in a low cottage, in what is now Stewart Park, which is just across the road from the Church. The original cottage was demolished by the Rudd family (the family who mainly financed the 1840’s refurbishment of the Church – see ‘History of the Church’ Page) in 1786, when creating the parkland surrounding Marton Lodge.
Almost 70 years later, H.W.F. Bolckow (see ‘Famous People’ & ‘Churchyard’ Pages) bought the ruins of the Lodge and the parkland and in 1858 erected the granite vase which now marks the site of the cottage. It is next to the modern Captain Cook Birthplace Museum.

Each year in late October, from 21st (Trafalgar Day) to 27th (Captain Cook’s Birthday) a series of events is held to celebrate his birthday, one of which is a memorial service which has from time to time been held in St. Cuthbert’s Church.

The Church forms part of the ‘Captain Cook Heritage Trail’. Further details are displayed on the ‘Captain Cook Heritage Trail Information Board’, which is located outside the Parish Centre.

See also our ‘Links Page’