<<

Historic churches in Greater bathe in northern lights visitchurches.org.uk/daysout 3 amazing churches, incredible people Visit the historic churches of Cheshire, Lancashire, and Merseyside and you will see the past – and its people – in a whole new light.

2

The historic churches of the north-west are remarkable. Each church has its own character – bold, ingenious or unusual, just like their patrons and preachers in times past. Discover their fascinating stories, and soak up their beauty and atmosphere, in a day out to these very special places. All the churches in this leaflet have been saved by The Churches Conservation Trust. The Trust is a charity that cares for more than 340 churches in . This is one of 18 leaflets that highlight their history and treasures. city style For more information on the other guides in this series, as well as interactive maps and downloadable information, step inside Lancaster’s St John the Evangelist see visitchurches.org.uk for a taste of bygone urban elegance 1 , 3 Christ Church Lancaster, St John Cheshire the Evangelist Striking red-brick Lancashire church from the A boom-time church Industrial Revolution for a rich city parish Christ Church is an engineering marvel. Built in 1775 by local St John’s is a product of industry and prosperity, built in industrialist , it was constructed using innovative 1754-55 when the congregation of the nearby Priory church cast-iron columns to support . It attracted men of became too large. Lancaster’s port on the river Lune was passion, including the founder of and thriving, the population was growing, and in 1784 a classic the outspoken preacher , a radical socialist who Georgian tower was added to St John’s. Everything about this championed the cause of the poor. urban church is smart. Two Victorian stained glass windows are both sumptuous and subtle. Bridge Street, Macclesfield SK11 6EG Macclesfield town centre North Road, Lancaster LA1 1PA Nearest railway station: Macclesfield (0.5 miles) Junction of North Road and Chapel Street Open Apr to Sep: Mon, Tue and Fri 10am-3pm; Nearest railway station: Lancaster (0.5 miles) Oct to Mar: Mon 10am-3pm; every second and Open Thu 1pm-4pm, Fri 12pm-4pm, Sat 1pm-4pm. fourth Sat, 10am-1.30pm At other times access is by appointment: 07792 953 147 visitchurches.org.uk/daysout

4 2 Pilling, Warburton, St John the St Baptist Old Old Church Church Cheshire Lancashire

A timber-framed haven with us Spend a day A Georgian gem with near the ship an untouched interior This 1,000-year-old church is one of only 27 timber-framed This remote coastal church might look simple and unassuming churches in England. Inside, rough-hewn timber uprights from the outside, but it has a stunning unspoiled Georgian support the roof beams, gnarled and twisted like the trees ‘preaching box’ interior. Large windows illuminate the they once were. Fixtures and furnishings show St Werburgh’s wonderful wood furnishings with the cool, watery light of the journey through time, from a 12th-century stone sarcophagus surrounding marshland. Outside is the grave of Reverend to the patch of 19th-century Minton tiles on the floor. Ideal to G Potter. He was a prizefighter, and was said to have fought combine with a visit to the nearby St George’s at Carrington. thrice and preached twice one Sunday. The new St John the Baptist church, built in 1887, stands 100 metres away. Church Green, Warburton, WA13 9SS 6m E of Warrington, off B5159 and School Lane, Pilling, Lancaster PR3 6HD Wigsey Lane/Church Green 10m SW of Lancaster and 7m NW of Garstang off A588 Nearest railway station: Glazebrook (1.8 miles) Nearest railway station: Poulton-le-Fylde (6.4 miles) Keyholder nearby Keyholder nearby More churches to enjoy 4 Each CCT church has been saved because it is special. We can’t do justice to them all in one leaflet, so visit our website for more information on those only briefly described here.

Cheshire -Le-Moors, St Mary 5 St Mary’s dates from the 14th century onwards, and is believed to be on the site of a pre-Conquest church. It sits in a village setting, close to the Mersey estuary, near a small nature reserve. Thornton Green Lane, Thornton-Le-Moors, CH2 4HU 1.5m N of M56 Junction 14, off A5117 Keyholder nearby Greater Manchester Carrington, St George 6 An oasis of calm among modern buildings; built in 1757 with a contemporary schoolroom and vicarage (not open to the public) in a pretty churchyard setting. Manchester Road, Carrington, Greater Manchester M31 4AG 9m E of Warrington on A6144 Keyholder nearby Lancashire Becconsall, All Saints Old Church 7 A lovely brick-built riverside church near a boatyard on the river Douglas, restored to life after dereliction. The simply furnished interior is flooded with light from its large Georgian windows. Becconsall Lane, Hesketh Bank, Preston PR4 6RR 10m S of Preston off the A59 at Tarleton Keyholder nearby

Blackburn, Holy Trinity 8 This tall, handsome Victorian city church is known for its austere beauty and unusual ceiling featuring 80 painted heraldic panels, commemorating local families who contributed to the church’s construction. Mount Pleasant, Blackburn BB1 5DQ N of city centre near Larkhill Health Centre Access by appointment: 01254 53866 windows on the past experience the elegance of a Georgian gem in light-filled St John the Baptist Old Church, Pilling Bolton, All Souls 9 Merseyside A local mill-owner paid for this Victorian brick masterpiece Waterloo, Christ Church Old Church 14 with a bold west tower – now a vibrant community centre. A sailors’ landmark with a striking interior and dazzling The lofty interior has all its original oak fittings. stained glass, Christ Church is a hauntingly romantic city Astley Street, Bolton BL1 8EH monument built in glorious pink stone. Local volunteers now Off Blackburn Road (A666), 1m N of town centre run this church as a community events venue. Nearest railway station: Bolton (2 miles) Waterloo Road, L22 1RF Access by appointment: 07786 856171 4m N of Liverpool city centre, junction of Alexandra, Victoria and Waterloo Roads, off Crosby Road South (A565) Friarmere, St Thomas Old Church 10 Nearest railway station: Waterloo, Merseyside (0.25 miles) This austere Georgian church on a hillside overlooking Access by appointment: 0151 924 5738 Delph was built by the local community who named it Heights Chapel. Inside, it is sparse yet atmospheric. Heights Lane, Friarmere, Delph, OL3 5TU 6m NE of Oldham, Dark Lane/Broad Lane off A6052 between Delph and 14 Keyholder nearby

Heaton Norris, Christ Church Tower 11 This fearsomely imposing landmark is all that remains of a Victorian church built in 1846. The church was gutted by fire in 1977 and only the tower and spire remain. , SK4 2LJ Off A6 Wellington Road North, 1m N of Stockport town centre

Tower only, no visitor access to interior visitchurches.org.uk/joinus

Old Langho, St Leonard 12 A rare church built in the reign of Mary I (1516–1558). It is made of stone that almost certainly came from nearby Whalley Abbey. The 17th-century bench ends are spectacular. Old Langho Road, Old Langho, Blackburn BB6 8AW 6m NE of Blackburn and N of A59, near junction with A666 (follow signs to Old Langho)

The key to the church is available in the Black Bull Inn Become a supporter public house, adjacent to the church

Tarleton, St Mary 13 A picturesque early Georgian chapel with a lovely unspoiled interior, St Mary’s stands in a pretty churchyard surrounded by handsome 18th- and 19th-century headstones. Tarleton, Preston PR4 6HJ 8m S of Preston on A59 Often open but please call 01772 813 663 in advance of your vist A968

A970

A968

A970

A971 SHETLAND ISLANDS

A970

A966

A986

A967 A 965

A964 ORKNEY A960 ISLANDS

A961

A836

A9

A99 A838 A836

A838 A897 A857 A882

A9 A A858 8 5

7

A894 A99

A858 A866

A836 A859 A837 A838 A9 A897

A859

A835 A837 A839 A839 A9

A837 A836 NA H-EILEANAN AN IAR A859 A832 A949

A836

A835

A9

A832 865A A942 A867 A862 A832 A96 A98 A832 A90 A98 A834 A941 A981 A855 A9 A87 A896 A835 A96 A950 A95

A850 A890 A940 A95 A97 A952

A947 A982 HIGHLAND A862 A939 A920 A948

A96 A863 A82 A90 A865 A833 A9 A831 A941 A87 A890 MORAY A920 A975 A920 A95 A938

A87 A97 A947

A90 A887 A939 A87 A944 A96 A944 A851 A97 ABERDEENSHIRE A9 A939 A980 A87 A888 A82 ABERDEEN CITY

A93 A93 A86 A90

A957 A889

A9

A830 A86 A93

A861

A861 A82 A90 A92

A937 A861 A924 ANGUS A935

A82

A932 A934 A884 PERTH AND KINROSS A926 A933 A848 A828 A94

A A826 A92 2 A94 9 A9 3 2 A90 A984 8 A827 DUNDEE CITY A92 A923 A9 A93 A85 A822

A85 A94 A90

A849 A919 A85

4 1 9

A M90 A82 A819 A913 A91 ARGYLL AND BUTE 2 A92 2 A917 8 A A823 A912 A816 A83 A821 A84 A9 FIFE A91 A914 A815 CLACKMANNANSHIRE A916 STIRLING A911 A915 A81 A873 A91 A823M90 WEST Numbered unitary areas: A83 DUNBARTONSHIRE A811 A977 1 RENFREWSHIRE A907 A92 A817 A909 2 EAST RENFREWSHIRE A815 A985 3 GLASGOW CITY A886 A875 EAST M876 M9 DUNBARTONSHIRE A921 4 NORTH LANARKSHIRE A809 M80 5 CITY OF EDINBURGH A814 A811 A81 A198

A90 A891 A82 A199 A846 A8 A803 A801 M9 A80 FALKIRK WEST 5 A1 A886 A761 LOTHIAN M80 A73 6093 INVERCLYDE M73 A M8 A89 EAST A1107 M8 A720 LOTHIAN A1 A78 A705 A8 A73 A71 MIDLOTHIAN A844 1 A847 A760 A846 A702 A68 A6105 A70 2

A6 A703 M77 A721 A7 A726 112 A736 A706 A737 A697 A6105 NORTH A72 A721 A701 AYRSHIRE M74 A72 A698

A735 A1 A83 A6 A71 A71 A73 S LANARKSHIRE A72 089

A7 8 A70 A77 A7 A6091 A698

A76 A699A68 A702 A841 A719 A70 A708 A697 A701 A70 SCOTTISH BORDERS EAST A698

A719 AYRSHIRE A6088

A702 A713 A76 A7 A1 A77 A68

A1068 SOUTH AYRSHIRE

A701 A702 M74(M) DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY A696 A76

A712 A68 A189 A709 NEWCASTLE A1

A77 A714 A75 UPON TYNE NORTH TYNESIDE A19 A712 A713 A6079

A718 A711 A6071 SOUTH TYNESIDE A7 A69 A A75 A69 A762 689 A75 A695 A1 SUNDERLAND A710 GATESHEAD A77 A69 A689 A686 A755

A716 A747 A746 A68 A A690 A6 A711 692 A 691 A182 A596 M6 A181 A595 A689 A1086 690A167 A A594 A591 A686 A1(M) HARTLEPOOL COUNTY A177 DURHAM A19 A689 STOCKTON-ON-TEES A68 A66 A689 A5091 A66 A66 REDCAR AND

A595 A592 A6 A5086 A688 DARLINGTON A66 A174 A67

A591 A66 A592 A19 A171 A66 A685 MIDDLESBROUGH A595 A167 A6

A172

A6136 A683 A171 A 591 A685

A593 A684 A168

A5084

A684 A19 A169 A65 A684 A167 A592 M6 A590 A1 A6108 A170

A683 A170 A65

A1039

A595 A6 A168 A64 A165 A6 87 A5087 A65 A1(M)

A19 A64 Morecambe A168 H A683 A614

Finding A61 Heysham Lancaster A166 3 NORTH A6055 A59 A59 our churches A661 The map opposite shows the location of each A59 4 A629 A65 A64 A614 A588 A1079 A165 of our churches in Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Fleetwood A682 Earby A658 A6 A659 Manchester and Merseyside, together with YORK A164 Garstang M6 A6068 LANCASHIRE A1(M) A19 A1035 Cleveleys A650 other nearby attractions and CCT churches G Clitheroe A56 A165 A59 A1079 585 A A586 A162 in adjoining counties. Colne A1034 CITY OF 12 A64 KINGSTON UPON HULL M55 I A163 Our website, visitchurches.org.uk, has much more Burnley Bradford Preston M65 A614 A164 detailed information to help you plan your trip. A5 83 A646 A6033 A63 67 8 M62 A 7 A63 A A63 Lytham A584 Blackburn 1041 A1033 Ordnance Survey ref St Anne’s 7 A59 Halifax Leyland A666 A56 A681 6033 A M62 1 Macclesfield, Christ Church SJ 914 736 F A581 Darwen Bacup 13 A58 A1077 A15 Chorley 2 Warburton, St Werburgh Old Church SJ 697 896 M6 A675 M62 HuddersfieldA642 A6 NORTH A160 A570 A61 A1 M61 Rochdale 38 (cover image) M66 A19 A565 Bury 10 A18 A180 A49 A628 DONCASTER 3 Lancaster, St John the Evangelist SD 478 619 Skelmers- Bolton A58 A636 Ormskirk dale M180 9 A62 Formby A59 4 Pilling, St John the Baptist Old Church SD 403 485 A635 A18 NE LINCOLNSHIRE

M60 A614 M58 Wigan Oldham A629 A635 14 28 M1 5 Thornton-Le-Moors, St Mary SJ 441 746 A6 Bootle St A46 A616 A1031 Helens A580 A161 A16 A

6 Carrington, St George SJ 728 926 Ashton-under-Lyne A630 A15 6 A159 1 A1(M) A57 MANCHESTER 0 M18 M57 2 7 Becconsall, All SaintsA5025 Old Church SD 452 231 MERSEYSIDE 6 A631 M62 M60 M67 2 A631 A631 8 Blackburn, Holy Trinity SD 688 284 Liverpool Stockport A57 D ROTHERHAM ISLE OF A41 Warrington A57 9 Bolton, AllANGLESEY Souls SD 714 108 A 11 J A620 A156 A157 M56 A1500 A548 A6187 A625 A616 A157 10 Friarmere, St Thomas Old Church SD 982 091 M53 C A623 A1104 E A46 A1111 A5 A153 A533 A A16 A5151 M56 A540 556 11 Heaton Norris, Christ Church Tower SJ 889 908 5 A61 A614 A545 A55 A537 A621 A1 A158 A55 A619 A60 A1028 A541 M6 12 Old Langho, St Leonard SD 701 359 A55 A56 1 A632 A57 A548 A50 Macclesfield A52 A470 A54 B A619 A6075 A34 A54 13 Tarleton, St Mary SD 457 201 A544 A4080 A54 A536 Chester A515 A61 A525 A1133 A158 14 Waterloo, Christ Church Old Church SJ 321 976 A6 A616 A5 M1 A15 A55 A155 A4086 A632 A46

A34 A53

A543 A541 CHESHIREA530 A38 CONWY A5012 A617 A16  CCT churches in neighbouringA counties. A483 A51 A153 A527 4 A494 A534 A49 0 A60 A17 8 A523 A607

For details, go to visitchurches.org.uk or see the A 5 A5014 A41 Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey ® on behalf of The Controller of HMSO A611 A614 6 A52 relevant county guide. A498 NOTTINGHAM-0 A487 A500 © Crown Copyright 2012 9 LINCOLNSHIRE A542 A52 7 A5 A610 A46 A499 Other local heritage attractions G Beacon Fell – country park A517 A1 A530 A1121 A525 A6 A38 A149 A and Estate HA525 Gresgarth Hall Garden A52 A153 A17 A50 A497 B Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre and Arboretum I Gawthorpe Hall – house, grounds A52 A4212 A52 A5 A495 J – house, garden A52 A152 A16 A148 C – house, gardens, deer park M6 A46 A149 A515

A519 CITY OF A499 A51 A50 A149 D Dunham Masey – house, gardens, deer park A50 NOTTINGHAM GWYNEDD A41 A453 A470 A528 A34www.english-heritage.org.uk A606 A607 A496 A5013 A148 E National Waterways Museum A15 A A518 A151 A60 A6006 A17 A A49 442 Telephone 0870 333 1181 A494 A5 A53 A151 1078 F Rufford Old Hall – Tudor house, gardens A151 A518 NORFOLKA1067 A140 A490 A514 M1 A A513 A42 A512 1062 A34 A46 A38 A1101 A149 TELFORD AND A 511 A6 A470 A41 A47 A16 A47 A1065 A47 A495 A483 A458 WREKIN A51 A607 A1 7 A458 A5 A5 A606 10 8 A1073 6

A5 A449 A 4 4 A5190

A493 A A447 A46 A47 M42 A470 A490 A464 M54 CITY OF A1 A1122 LEICESTER A6121 1 2 2 A488 A47 A470 A47 A146

15 A M6 Toll A1075

A489 A47 6 A1139 A12 A47 A1101 A134

0 A605 A493 A444 A11 A458 14 0 A6 3 A10 A143 A483 A454 A38 A43 A49 A489 M6 A446 A489 A458 16 A427 CITY OF PETERBOROUGH M69 A5 A427 A605 A1(M) A141 A140 A426 A470 17 A144 M6 A143 A145 A487 A442 A616 A488 18 A1066 A44 A45 A4304 A1101 CAMBRIDGESHIREA142 M6 M1 A1065 A452 2 A449 A14 19 A141 A11 A1088 A4120 A4141 A5199 A4117 A448 A143

A4113 A14 A1123 A142 A4

A46 A134 POWYS M45 A43 A45 A11 M42 1 A508 A45 A485 A483 A456 A12 77 A140 A4110 A44 A10 A14 A470 A443 A428 A488 A435 A4 25 A1 A14 A49 A45 A14 CEREDIGION A4112 A6 A10 M5 A1120 94 A44 A44 A428 A482 A423 BEDFORD A44 A422 A428 A1198 A481 A46

COUNTY OF A509 A143 A4111 A4112 A417 NORTHAMPTON- A12 A46 M1 A603 A11 A44 M40 A14 A487 A422 A361 A508 A422 A603 A1307 A134 A486 A480 A38 SHIRE MILTON A1141 A483 A438 A465 KEYNES A1092 A4103 A5 A600 A505 A475 A3400 A482 A470

A438 A413 A421 A1071 A43 A429 A1 507 A1017 A4104 A A505 A134 A14 A487 A A422 A12

4 A46

8 4 A485 A44 CENTRAL A10 A40 A479 A49 A361 A40 CARMARTHENSHIRE A465 M11 A131 M50 A4 A421 A507 13 A6 A487 A449 A4146 A4069 M5 A505 A1124 A137 A A466 A38 A435 A5 M1 A120 A478 4215 BLAENAU A4137 A4421 A44 LUTON PEMBROKESHIRE A40 A424 A4260 A602 A470 GWENT 4095 BUCKING- A120 A40 A436 A A120 A 133 A40 A483 A1(M) A12 HAMSHIRE A418 A48 A34 A41 A4146 A131 A40 A484 MER THYR A435 67 A417 A40 A1060 40 TYDFIL A130 A474 A465 A4136 A A A46 A4095 A413 TORFAEN 4075 A477 A4066 A414 A4076 A40 A418 A10 A429 A A A476 A415 A40 A414 4 4010 A41 A465 A469 6 MONMOUTHSHIREA466 A414

M4 7 A38 A416 SWANSEA NEATH A48 A361 A40 M25 A4139 A419 A4074 PORT TALBOT A417 A113 A130 A4042 A4135 A449 A1 A12 M1 4063 A 7 A329 A1 10 A48 A433 2 4 M40 8 A483 A A419 A355 M25 A127 A4118 M48 M5 A338 A4061 A403 A420 A46 A429 A47 0 A468 A417 A4130 A12 A48 A41 M4 A 4

A10 M25 A473 A34 0 A40 THURROCK SOUTHEND-ON-SEA 74 M4 1 M4 A13 A48 6 A346 A4 A4232 3 M4 A3102 4 A WEST M4 A48 A420 A329 A330 A205 A228 M4 A2 A46 A316 A342 A20 A4 A4 A4 A4 A4 A321 A24 A232 A249 A299

A228 A37 A346 A322 M25 A38 A327 M3 M20

A227 A290 A28 A370 A338 A340 A2 A320 A291

A36 A350 A368 A225 61 A30 M2 A39 A3 A257 A367 A339 M26

A368 A3 MEDWAY A251 A342 A34 A25 A33 M25 A366 A20 A252 A371 A37 A25 A256 A39 WILTSHIREA345 A343 A2 A360 A287 A274 M20 A339 A28 A367 A217

A338 A21

A39 A229 A361 SURREYA25 A24 A22 M5 A303 A228

A287 A31 M23 A260 A258 A3123 A39 A36 A20 A399 A39 A39 A350 HAMPSHIREM3 A361 A361 A343 A29 A39 A38 A281 A A33 A264 A39 A272 359 A325 A A338 3 A262 A28

3 A37 0 A A396 A267

5 5

8 A30 7 A2070 A A303 371 A3 A268 A361SOMERSET A31 A283 A26 A259 A372 A32 A29 A272 A21 A39 A303 A30 A286 A361 A338 WEST A27 A3090 A272 A 272 A354 A36

A A265 A3 A378 A30 A303 A359 281 58 A39 A24 A275 A23 A28 A350 A283 A357 M27 A22 A386 A3124 A259 A388 A377 A38 A285 A273 A3 A26 A271 M5 A303 A30 030 A354 A286 A283 A326 M27 A3(M) A29

A37 A31 A27 A27 A337 A396 A27 A35 A27 A22 A27 2 A352 07 A373 A356 3 A350 A3072 A A259 A3066 A32 A3072 A30 M275 A358 A35 A388 A3079 A354 A31 A39 A30 A35 A35 52 A30 30 A35 A375 A

A376 A395 A352 A351 A39 A382 A379 A353 A386

A354 A30 A38

A380 CORNWALLA388 A389

A379 A38 90 A39 A3

A381 A386 A392 A30 A385

A391 A387 A3058 A38 A3075 A3122 A379 A3121 A30

A39 A381

A390 A381

A393 A30 A379 A3074 A39 A3078

A39 A3071

A394 A30

A3083

A3110 ISLES OF SCILLY Find out more Welcome to a thousand Our website has a host of additional information years of English history that will help you plan and enjoy your visit, including: • Interactive maps The Churches Conservation Trust is the national • Filterable lists of all our churches charity protecting historic churches at risk. • Up to date opening times We’ve saved over 340 beautiful buildings • Visitor comments which attract more than 1.5 million visitors a year. • Downloadable guides With our help and with your support they are • Image galleries kept open and in use – living once again at the heart of their communities. • Event listings Go to visitchurches.org.uk to access all this and more. Visiting information Go to visitchurches.org.uk for detailed directions, local maps, information on disability access and up to date opening times. For other enquiries, call us on 020 7213 0660 (Monday – Friday, office hours), or [email protected] Please take care when visiting our churches. Floors may be uneven/worn or slippery, and interior lighting may be low.

Assistance dogs are welcome. For full disabled access information, see our website. Unsure about the ‘keyholder nearby’ access? You will find details at the church or call us in advance. Parking is available at most churches – see the website for more details.

The closest station for each church is shown in the guide. For bus routes, see traveline.org.uk Cyclists welcome! For cycle routes, go to sustrans.org.uk Help us save historic churches The CCT needs to raise an additional £1.5million every year just to cover essential repairs. If you enjoy your visit please leave a donation at the church, or go to visitchurches.org.uk/donate for details of how you can help.

Become a fan visitchurches.org.uk facebook.com/ChurchesConservationTrust The Churches Conservation Trust Follow us 1 West Smithfield, EC1A 9EE twitter.com/TheCCT Registered Charity No: 258612 © CCT 2011