St Aidan's Church, Billinge
St Aidan's Church, Billinge | ||
---|---|---|
Style Georgian, Gothic Revival | | |
Groundbreaking | 1716 | |
Completed | 1908 | |
Specifications | ||
Materials | Stone, stone-slate roof | |
Administration | ||
Province | York | |
Diocese | Liverpool | |
Archdeaconry | Warrington | |
Deanery | Wigan | |
Parish | Billinge | |
Clergy | ||
Vicar(s) | none currently | |
Laity | ||
Reader(s) | Mrs H. Steele, Mrs C. Parr | |
Churchwarden(s) | J. Boardman, Mrs C. Parr |
St Aidan's Church is in Main Street,
History
The church originated as a chapel of ease in about 1539.[1] The chapel was replaced by the present church, built between 1716 and 1718, and was designed by Henry Sephton. A major influence in this rebuilding was James Scarisbricke, a Liverpool merchant who donated £200 towards its cost.[2] The church had a rectangular plan measuring 57 feet (17.4 m) by 37 feet (11.3 m) with a small apse at the east end,[3] and could seat 200 people. Galleries were added to the north and south sides of the church in 1823 and 1824 respectively.[1] The church became a separate parish in its own right in 1828.[4] The building was rebuilt and extended in 1907–08 by T. G. Jackson. He moved the apse towards the east, adding a transept to the south, and an organ loft and vestry to the north, thereby increasing the size of the chancel.[2] At the same time the north and south galleries and the box pews were removed.[1] A glass screen was inserted under the west gallery in 1993.[2]
Architecture
Exterior
St Aidan's is built in stone and has a stone-slate roof. Its plan consists of a four-
Interior
Inside the church the round-arched
Appraisal
On 23 August 1966 the church was designated as a Grade II* listed building.[5] Grade II* is the middle of the three grades of listing, and is applied to buildings that are "particularly important buildings of more than special interest".[7]
Associated structures
On the south side of the church in the churchyard is the tomb of George and Kitty Smith. It is inscribed with the date 1720and consists of a stone coffin with rings at the ends. On the top is a carving of a curtain and of a snake encircling a winged skull. There is an inscription but, apart from the date, this is illegible. The tomb is listed at Grade II.[8] This grade is the lowest of the three grades of listing, and is applied to buildings that are "nationally important and of special interest".[7] The churchyard walls and the gate piers in the walls are also designed at Grade II. The walls extend along the west and south walls of the churchyard. They date from the early 18th century, are in stone, and have weathered coping with roll moulding on the top. There are gates with piers on the west and south sides. The west piers are panelled with recessed quarter-columns on the angles, and have Doric entablatures and urn finials. The south piers are plainer, they are square and surmounted by ball finials.[9]
Present day
St Aidan's is an active
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e History, St Aidan's Church, Billinge, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ ISBN 0-300-10910-5
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J., eds. (1911), "Townships: Billinge", A History of the County of Lancaster, Victoria County History, vol. 4, University of London & History of Parliament Trust, pp. 83–87, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ St Aiden's Parish Church (C of E), Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerks, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ a b c d e Historic England, "Church of St Aidan (1075923)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ National Pipe Organ Register, British Institute of Organ Studies, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ a b Listed buildings, Historic England, retrieved 4 April 2015
- ^ Historic England, "Tomb of George and Kitty Smith on south side of church of Saint Aidan (1075924)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ Historic England, "Wall and piers on south and west side of church of Saint Aidan (1343275)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ St Aidan, Billinge, Church of England, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ Home, St Aidan's Church, Billinge, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ Services, St Aidan's Church, Billinge, retrieved 16 August 2014
- ^ Activities, St Aidan's Church, Billinge, retrieved 16 August 2014