St Michael and All Angels Church, Altcar
| St Michael and All Angels Church, Altcar | |
|---|---|
Anglican | |
| Churchmanship | Central |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founder(s) | William Molyneux, 4th Earl of Sefton |
| Dedication | St Michael and All Angels |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 11 October 1968 |
| Architect(s) | John Douglas |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 1878 |
| Completed | 1879 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Timber framed, red tile roof |
| Administration | |
| Province | York |
| Diocese | Liverpool |
| Archdeaconry | Liverpool |
| Deanery | Sefton North |
| Parish | Altcar |
St Michael and All Angels Church stands to the west of the village of
Buildings of England series it is described as "an utterly charming church".[2]
History
The earliest record of a church or chapel on the site is in a
lease dated 1429. In the 17th century the church is said to have been of timber and plaster. In the 1740s it was destroyed by fire and a new church was consecrated in 1747. This was said to have been a small brick building with a cupola containing one bell and a very plain interior.[3] That church was demolished and the present church was built in 1878–79 to a design by John Douglas at the expense of the 4th Earl of Sefton.[2] The church was restored in the 1990s, mainly to deal with rot which was affecting the timber.[4]
Architecture
Exterior
The church is
plinth with a red tile roof. The framing is mostly close studding with a middle rail.[1] It has been suggested that timber framing was used, not only for aesthetic reasons, but also because the foundations on underlying peat were not sufficiently stable for a stone building.[4] The plan of the church consists of a five-bay nave, a bell turret on the west gable end, a south porch, a narrow north aisle, a two-bay chancel at a lower level, a north organ chamber, and a vestry. The bell turret is close-studded and has a pyramidal roof with a finial and a weather vane.[1] The church is unique in Douglas' output as being entirely half-timbered.[5]
Interior
The communion rails, chancel rails, and
Cleophas and Mary in the centre, St Michael on the left, and Euphrasia on the right. The only stained glass in the church is in the west window. This is dated 1885 and depicts the baptism of Jesus.[4]
External features
At the entrance to the churchyard is a
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Great Altcar
- List of new churches by John Douglas
References
- ^ a b c Historic England, "Church of St Michael, Great Altcar (1230934)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 9 April 2015
- ^ ISBN 0-300-10910-5
- ^ Farrer, William; Brownbill, J., eds. (1907), "The parish and township of Altcar: Church", A History of the County of Lancaster, Victoria County History, vol. 3, University of London & History of Parliament Trust, pp. 221–226, retrieved 21 March 2008
- ^ a b c Boughen, Tony (2004), "Altcar, St Michael", Lancashire Churches, archived from the original on 7 May 2008, retrieved 21 March 2008
- ISBN 0-901657-16-6
- ^ Historic England, "Lychgate approximately 20 metres south east of Church of St Michael, Great Altcar (1073147)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 9 April 2015
- ^ "WOODFIN, KENNETH THOMAS", Commonwealth War Graves Commission, retrieved 24 January 2019
- ^ "The roll of honour - Personal details", Armed Forces Memorial, retrieved 24 January 2019
- ^ "A volley of rifle shots and a", Champion, 22 November 2006, retrieved 24 January 2019
