St Michael and All Angel's Church, Ashton-on-Ribble

St Michael and All Angel's Church, Ashton-on-Ribble, is located in Egerton Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, Lancashire, England. It is an active Anglican parish church in the deanery of Preston, the archdeaconry of Lancaster, and the diocese of Blackburn. Its benefice is united with those of St Mark, Preston, and St Andrew, Ashton-on-Ribble, to form the benefice of the West Preston Team.^[1] The church has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building.^[2]

History

St Michael's originated as a chapel of ease to St Andrew's Church, Ashton-on-Ribble, in order to cope with the rising population in the area. Its foundation stone was laid in September 1906, and the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester on 2 July 1908. The architects responsible for the design were Austin and Paley of Lancaster. The building of the nave was completed in July 1915, but the planned upper part of the tower was never built. St Michael's became a separate parish in December 1929. In 1993 its benefice was united with that of St Mark, Preston, and in April 2006, it was further united with St Andrew, Ashton-on-Ribble.^[3]

Architecture

Exterior

The church is constructed in snecked sandstone with ashlar dressings and red tiled roofs. Its plan consists of a nave and chancel in one range, a clerestory, and north and south aisles. On the south side are a porch, the uncompleted tower, and a chapel. On the north side are a transept, a vestry, and an attached parish hall. Its architectural style is Perpendicular "in Arts and Crafts manner".^[2] Along the sides of the clerestory are two-light windows, with ten on the north side and seven on the south. The aisle windows are square-headed with mullions, most of which have three lights. At the west end is a large five-light window. Above the doorway in the south porch is a panel with a carving of Saint Michael. The tower consists of one tall stage, with angle buttresses, a south doorway over which is a five-light window and, at the summit, a pyramidal roof. On the south side of the chancel are three clerestory windows, and at its east end is a short canted sanctuary with buttresses. The east window has five lights. The chapel has two south windows, a four-light east window, and an embattled parapet.^[2]

Interior

The arcades consist of five bays carried on octagonal piers.^[2] The stained glass in the east window dates from 1868 and is by Harry Stammers. Elsewhere are windows from the early 20th century that are probably by Shrigley and Hunt.^[4] The three-manual organ was built in 1934 by Henry Ainscough, and overhauled by its maker in 1953.^[5]

References