St Wilfrid's Church, Melling
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| St Wilfrid's Church, Melling | |
St Wilfrid's Church, Melling |
|
  Position of the church in Lancashire
|
|
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Location | Melling, Lancashire, England |
| Geographic coordinates | Coordinates: |
| Religious affiliation | Anglican |
| Province | Province of York |
| District | Diocese of Blackburn |
| Ecclesiastical status | Parish church |
| Leadership | Canon Roger N. Hamblin, vicar |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Gothic, Gothic Revival |
| Year completed | 1866 |
| Specifications | |
| Spire height | 55 feet (17 m) |
| Materials | Sandstone rubble Stone slate roof |
St Wilfrid's Church, Melling is in the village of Melling, Lancashire, England (grid reference SD599711). It is a Grade I listed building[1] and is still in use as an Anglican church in the united benefice of East Lonsdale.[2]
Contents |
[edit] History
The earliest fabric in the church dates from around 1300 or earlier[1] but, as it is near the earthworks of a motte-and-bailey castle, it is possible that a church has been present on the site since the 10th century.[3] Most of the present church dates from the late 15th century,[1] with a restoration in 1763 when the clerestory was added and further restoration in the 19th century.[4] A chapel known as the Morley chapel was created as a chantry from a pre-existing chapel by John Morley who fought at Agincourt in 1415. It was heavily re-modelled in 1841 when the altar was removed. It was restored as a chapel in 1994–95.[3]
[edit] Description
The church is built in sandstone rubble with a stone slate roof. Its plan consists of a west tower, a nave and chancel under a continuous roof with a clerestory, north and south aisles, a south porch and a south chapel. The tower has diagonal buttresses and an embattled parapet. The west window of the south aisle dates from around 1300.[1] This window includes a fragment of medieval stained glass.[3] Internally, the aisle pews date from the 18th century but the nave pews, the screens, the pulpit, and the communion rails are from the late 19th century. In the chapel is an aumbry without a door and a squint. There are numerous memorial wall tablets. Discovered during the restoration and built into the vestry wall is a piece of Norman chevron ornament, part of a crucifix, and part of a grave slab.[1] The stained glass in the east window was designed by Holiday and made by Heaton, Butler and Bayne. The church plate includes a chalice dated 1759 and a chalice and breadholder dated 1767.[4] The ring is of six bells which were recast in 1754 from three bells made in the 15th century by Rudhall of Gloucester.[3]
[edit] External features
In the churchyard is a sandstone sundial dating probably from the 18th century with a brass plate and gnomon which is listed Grade II.[5] Also listed Grade II are the Hodgson tomb chest dating from the early 18th century[6] and part of the churchyard wall, the steps leading to the gate and the gate piers.[7]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d e Images of England: Church of St Wilfrid, Melling. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
- ^ East Lonsdale. Diocese of Blackburn. Retrieved on 2008-05-01.
- ^ a b c d Lancashire Churches: Melling, St Wilfrid. Tony Boughen. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
- ^ a b Pevsner, Nikolaus [1969] (2002). The Buildings of England: North Lancashire. New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 176–177. ISBN 0 300 09617 8.
- ^ Images of England: Sundial. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
- ^ Images of England: Hodgson Tomb. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
- ^ Images of England: Churchyard wall with steps and gate piers. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2008-04-30.
