Weight: 1054 lbs Diameter: 37.75" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by G Mears & Co 1861
Dove Bell ID: 58900 Tower ID: 22856 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Preston: All Saints
Diocese of Blackburn
Church, 603273
http://www.allsaintspreston.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SD 538 298
This is, most unusually in the early Victorian period for an Anglican church, a neo-Classical building with a large pedimented portico facing a minor side road on the north side. The church was built 1846-8, the architect being John Latham, a local architect who designed several rather eccentric neo-Romanesque churches in Preston and is very restrained with neo-Classical here. The facade, in the form of a 3-bay pedimented portico (on 2 steps), has six giant unfluted Ionic columns, those flanking the centre in pairs, with entablature, dentilled cornice and pediment. The 6-bay brick side walls have high sandstone ashlar plinths, brick pilasters with sandstone bases and caps, sandstone ashlar corner pilasters, and continuous entablatures carried round from the front.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Rectangular plan on north-south axis of 6 bays, with added polygonal chancel, with flanking vestries.
Dimensions:
Chancel and nave estimated to be c 24m x 8m (80ft x 26ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 923 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Preston has Roman, Saxon and medieval origins, but nothing of this is visible above ground. The town developed slowly through the post-medieval period, then rapidly expanded for the textile industry from the late 18th century, as with most Lancashire towns. After a long period of decline in the 20th century it is now experiencing a relative boom, with much regeneration of the area around the centre, including the area around the church.
The church was built 1846-8, the architect being John Latham, a local architect who designed several rather eccentric neo-Romanesque churches (St Mary, St Thomas) in Preston and is very restrained with neo-Classical here. It was founded by working men who were anxious to bring back to Preston a former curate of St James’s church (Rev W Walling) and began a public subscription to build a church for him. It was consequently known as “the Working Man’s Church” or “the Poor Man’s Church”, and was always distinct from the Establishment churches of the town both architecturally and socially, having a continuous evangelical history. The chancel was added in 1853; there were additions in the late 19th century to each side of the chancel. The interior was completely redecorated for the Millenium, the facilities updated including a conversion within the west end under the gallery. This was done by Steve Creighton of Carlisle.
(2005)
Exterior Description
A simple, powerful design in the Classical style. The facade, in the form of a 3-bay pedimented portico (on 2 steps), has six giant unfluted Ionic columns, those flanking the centre in pairs, with entablature, dentilled cornice and pediment. Under the portico are three doorways with moulded architraves, that in the centre with a dentilled pediment on consoles and those at the sides shouldered, all with panelled double doors. There is a raised geometrical panel above each doorway, and on the ridge of the roof, set back slightly, a rectangular enclosed wooden belcote with an open pediment.
The 6-bay brick side walls have high sandstone ashlar plinths, brick pilasters with sandstone bases and caps, sandstone ashlar corner pilasters, and continuous entablatures carried round from the front. Each bay has a giant round-headed window with stone imposts and keystone, containing late 19th-century joinery with round-headed lights to each floor. The chancel has round-headed windows of two lights with sandstone surrounds under semi-circular arches of brick with blue headers, and a Lombard frieze with some blue brick. There are added rooms on each side of the chancel, gabled with chimneys and domestic windows.
Building Fabric and Features
Chancel
19th century polygonal
Nave
19th century
Vestry
19th century
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century coursed ashlar west facade
Brick
19th century red in English garden wall bond
Slate
19th century roof
Interior
Interior Description
The interior resembles Methodist chapels of the earlier 19th century, unsurprising given the evangeliscal tradition of this church and the emphasis on preaching. It has a gallery on three sides (canted at the corners) carried on iron columns with foliated caps, with panelled front and raked seating. This has all been painted white like the walls and the box pews in the nave below, which preserve their original doors and numbering (there were £10 pew rents in this working man's church). There is plain panelling around the walls. This pleasant interior is lit by unobtrusive modern spot lights in the flat panelled ceiling. The floors are all carpeted in a terracotta red.
The area under the west gallery has recently been divided into rooms with toilets, kitchen and a small creche, a very high quality, unobtrusive development. There is a glazed screen demarcating the vestibule between these and the nave, the screen etched and of a similar high quality. This conversion should serve as a model for other churches seeking to use space in this way.
The chancel has a stilted arched springing from consoles with composite capitals, and elaborate moulded plaster frame above. The organ chamber takes up the south side of the chancel, a passage in front of this leads to a reading room. There is a vestry on the other side. Plain panelled choir stalls, again painted white. Ribbed timber roof.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Light stained pitched pine chest with blind tracery, given by Jane Bennet 1929. Similar in west chapel.
Reredos
20th century Intricately carved alabaster reredos with the Ten Commandments taking up the east wall of the chancel apse, neo-Classical in style given in memory of David Clarkson died 1910, with an inset carved tablet with the Last Supper given 1912 in memory of the Revd Alexander Urquhart.
Pulpit
19th century The pulpit is of light oak, octagonal blind tracery, on a tall open wrought iron base and steps, 1850.
Lectern
19th century Brass eagle, moulded base and lion's feet.
Font (component)
20th century Octagonal font.
Stained Glass (window)
19th / 20th century The chancel side windows have floral designs either side of the east window, which has the Four Evangelists in two tiers, dedicated in memory of John Bairstow in 1866. The small window illuminating the passage by the organ has King David playing the harp, in memory of Louisa Woods, died 1905, by A Seward of Lancaster installed 1912.
Inscribed Object
19th century The walls each side of the chancel arch have a white marble tablet of the 19th century. • William Tuson died 1859 and his wife Ann, with inscription under an urn on a black ground on otherwise plain tablet. • Revd William Walling died 1863, similar but with open book.
Organ (component)
19th century Two manual pipe organ built 1850 by Ainscough, rebuilt in 1904. Blower added 1925 in memory of Alice Waddington (brass plaque).
Rail
19th century Oak rail, wrought iron standards.
Inscribed Object
20th century Large tripartite brass memorial, the central part with an arched head, to the fallen in World War I.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers begin in 1848, held at County Record Office.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 538 298
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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