Christ Church, Wesham

Christ Church is an Anglican church in Wesham, a small town in the English county of Lancashire. It is an active parish church in the Diocese of Blackburn and the archdeaconry of Lancaster. It was built 1893–94 by Paley, Austin and Paley, and is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building.

Christ Church
Christ Church from Garstang Road North
Christ Church is located in the Borough of Fylde
Christ Church
Christ Church
Location in the Borough of Fylde
53.7903°N 2.8855°W / 53.7903; -2.8855
OS grid referenceSD 41762 33024
LocationWesham, Lancashire
CountryEngland
DenominationAnglican
History
StatusParish church
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationGrade II
Designated11 June 1986
Architect(s)Austin, Paley and Austin
Austin and Paley
Construction cost£3,350 (equivalent to £410,000 in 2021)
Administration
ProvinceYork
DioceseBlackburn
ArchdeaconryLancaster
DeaneryKirkham
Clergy
Vicar(s)Rev Anne Beverley[1]
Laity
Organist(s)Mr E Lang
Churchwarden(s)Mrs C Norcross, Dr B Lang
Tower from the south
Memorial stone to the Wesham Workhouse paupers

History and administration

Building of the church started in 1893–94, but at this time the east end was not included. The church was designed by the Lancaster-based architecture firm of Paley, Austin and Paley. The church provided seating for 229 people, and cost £3,350 (equivalent to £480,000 in 2021).[2][3] In 1927–28, the east end was completed, a south porch was added, and the nave was reseated, increasing the seating to 317. This was carried out by Henry Paley, trading as Austin and Paley, and cost £5,650.[4]

The church was used as a chapel-of-ease to Kirkham until 1913, when it was made a separate parish. The foundation stone was laid on 30 June 1892, by the Lady E. C. Clifton, and the church was consecrated by Bishop Moorhouse on 27 September 1894.

On 11 June 1986, Christ Church was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage.[5] The Grade II designation—the third highest of the three grades—is for buildings that are "nationally important and of special interest".[6] An active church in the Church of England, Christ Church is part of the diocese of Blackburn, which is in the Province of York. It is in the archdeaconry of Lancaster and the Deanery of Kirkham. It forms a benefice with Christ Church, Treales.[7]

2013 saw a concert by the singer Graham Kendrick.[8]

Architecture

Christ Church is in the Decorated Perpendicular style and is constructed of red brick with dressings in red terracotta.[9] The roof is red tile. The church plan consists of a nave and chancel under one roof, with a steeple to the south-west.[5] The tower is of three stages and has a stepped sandstone parapet; the steeple is clad in green slate.[5][9]

The nave has six bays and internally there are stone piers.[9] The chancel has a large east window with mouchette tracery.[5]

External features

The churchyard contains the war graves of two soldiers of World War I, and four soldiers and a Royal Navy chaplain of World War II.[10] There is also a memorial to the paupers of the Wesham Workhouse.

See also

References

Citations

  1. "Clergy Moves | the Diocese of Blackburn". Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  2. UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  3. Brandwood et al. 2012, p. 240.
  4. Brandwood et al. 2012, p. 251.
  5. Historic England, "Christ Church (1072028)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 3 October 2011
  6. "Listed Buildings", National Heritage List for England, English Heritage, archived from the original on 26 January 2013, retrieved 18 October 2011
  7. "Church Details: Wesham Christ Church", blackburn.anglican.org, Diocese of Blackburn, archived from the original on 5 April 2012, retrieved 18 October 2011
  8. "An Evening with Graham Kendrick – Preston". .grahamkendrick.co.uk/. 2013. Archived from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  9. Hartwell & Pevsner (2009), pp. 684–85
  10. WESHAM (CHRIST CHURCH) CHURCHYARD, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, retrieved 13 February 2013

Sources

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