Nominal: 1351.5 Hz Weight: 392 lbs Diameter: 25.06" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Gillett & Johnston 1928
Dove Bell ID: 50507 Tower ID: 17994 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Ashton-on-Ribble: St Michael & All Angels
Diocese of Blackburn
Church, 603263
https://www.stmichaelswithstmarkpreston.co.ukOverview
Grid reference: SD 518 301
An Edwardian stone church, impressive in scale despite the incomplete tower. It has considerable townscape value by virtue of its sheer size and dramatically phrased massing, and was built 1908 to designs by Austin and Paley. The style is Perpendicular, in an Arts-and-Crafts manner, but is powerful rather than being in any way folksy, and may be considered in the very first rank of work by this leading architectural partnership. The uncompleted tower, square and of one tall stage, has plain square angle-buttresses and a shallow pyramidal roof. The nave has ten segmental-pointed 2-light clerestory windows on the north side, and seven on the south side, all with 2-stage traceried heads. Stepped parapets only at the west end, a large west window of 5-lights with stepped tracery including brattished bands. The chancel has three clearstorey windows on the south side matching those of the nave, and at the east end a short canted full-height sanctuary, with buttresses flanking a large segmental-pointed east window of five lights with stepped 2-stage tracery, and a plain parapet carried round from the side.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay nave and 3-bay apsed chancel under one roof, with narrow north and south aisles, south porch, south-west tower (uncompleted) and south chapel both attached to south aisle, and north transept with attached vestry. Recent parish hall attached to north aisle.
Dimensions:
Nave estimated to be c 27m x 8m (90ft x 26ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 875 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Built 1908, designed by Austin and Paley. The tower was never finished, and was capped at the first stage. It was built in a prosperous new residential area of the developing Preston suburb of Ashton-on-Ribble, named after nearby Ashton Hall. It was not originally a parish church, being a chapel-of-ease to St Marks until this was made redundant in the 1980s and vested in the CCT. The organ chamber now also houses an office for Christian Aid.
Ashton was settled in the early medieval period and there is documentary evidence for a medieval hall and motte-and-bailey castle (Tulketh Hall) in the vicinity of the site. The site may therefore be of some archaeological potential for this and later periods, and the Sites and Monuments Record should be consulted before any development is contemplated.
Exterior Description
The church is designed in the Perpendicular style in an Arts-and-Crafts manner, but is powerful rather than being in any way folksy, and may be considered in the very first rank of work by this leading architectural partnership. Even in its truncated state, this is a very fine church indeed.
The uncompleted tower, square and of one tall stage, has plain square angle-buttresses and a shallow pyramidal roof. There is a south-west stair-turret. Large segmental-pointed south doorway with moulded surround and double doors with traceried panels and ornamental strap-hinges, flanked by short bands of blind arcading. There is a large 2-centred arched 5-light traceried window above this.
The nave has ten segmental-pointed 2-light clerestory windows on the north side, and seven on the south side, all with 2-stage traceried heads. Stepped parapets only at the west end, a large west window of 5-lights with stepped tracery including brattished bands. The aisles have square-headed mullioned windows mostly of 3-lights, with alternating forms of mouchette tracery.
The porch has a moulded segmental-pointed doorway with hoodmould, flanked by unusual drum-shaped angle buttresses, a string course and high parapet raised over a triangular headed traceried panel with carving of St Michael.
The chancel has three clearstorey windows on the south side matching those of the nave, and at the east end a short canted full-height sanctuary, with buttresses flanking a large segmental-pointed east window of five lights with stepped 2-stage tracery, and a plain parapet carried round from the side.
The chapel has two windows in the side like those of the aisle, an embattled parapet with blind-arcaded upstands, and an arched 4-light east window with elaborate tracery including brattishing. The north transept (the organ chamber) has windows like those of the nave, and the vestry, which wraps round it and is single-storeyed, has various windows like those of the aisles.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 5-bay
Chancel
19th century 3-bay apsed
Aisle
20th century narrow north and south
Porch
20th century south
Tower (component)
20th century south-west, uncompleted
Chapel (component)
20th century south
Transept
20th century north
Vestry
20th century
Church Hall
20th century attached to north aisle
Building Materials
Sandstone
20th century coursed, snecked, pinkish
Ashlar
20th century dressings
Slate
20th century roofing
Timber
20th century roof structure
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, one encounters a vast space of bare stone walls. The west end has a balustraded balcony. The aisle arcades of moulded 2-centred arches are carried on octagonal columns with moulded capitals, carrying kingpost roof trusses with curved struts passing through a waggon-roof ceiling. The clearstorey windows are paired within segmental-arched openings. The nave is fully pewed with dark-stained benches, with nicely carved choir stalls in the chancel. A nave altar has been introduced. Carpets over quarry tiled floors.
There are semi-octagonal responds in place of a chancel arch (there is a pointed arch to the apsidal sanctuary), with tracery panels and surmounted by very large wooden angels with outspread wings. A very tall 2-bay arcade to the north transept of the chancel is juxtaposed in typical Austin & Paley fashion with a lower arcade to the chancel aisle and beyond this a 3-bay arcade to the chapel. The chancel east window is a blaze of 1960’s blue and red, contrasting sharply with the traditional stone reredos beneath. The floor is of chequerboard flags. There is a double sedilia with tracery in the 4-centred arched heads in the south wall of the sanctuary, and an aumbry of similar form.
Fixtures and fittings
Stained Glass (window)
20th century • East window, Christ in Majesty by H J Stammer of Buckinghamshire, installed 1968. • Chapel windows, Warrior Saints 3-light of 1918, and 4-light with Mary and Jesus as a child, of 1921. 3-light, 1916, St Mark, St Clement, Mary & child. Probably all by Shrigley & Hunt of Lancaster. • Later windows in the south aisle, 1929, 3-light with St Peter, St Paul, St Barnabas. • St Cecilia playing the organ 1935.
Altar
20th century Light stained pitched pine chest with blind tracery. Similar in south chapel.
Inscribed Object
20th century White marble tablet with blind tracery panels in the head in memory of Revd Wiseman, vicar of parish 1887-1922, responsible for this church. Brass plaques. War memorials: Plain white marble tablet with the names of the fallen in both world wars in the south chapel.
Reredos
20th century Carved stone reredos with two tiers of panels with Crucifixion, figures in semi-relief.
Organ (component)
20th century In 1910 an organ was installed, but this was replaced in 1934 by a 3 manual pipe organ by Ainscough of Preston. Tuned 1995 by Laycock & Bannister of Keighley.
Pulpit
20th century The pulpit is of light oak, octagonal with saints carved in relief on four panels.
Rail
20th century Wooden rail to sanctuary, given in 1961. Wooden rail to chapel, given in 1911.
Lectern
20th century Oak eagle and two other wooden lecterns.
Font (component)
20th century Fine octagonal font with tracery panels, large stone base.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 518 301
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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