Diameter: 16" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Unidentified (blank)
Dove Bell ID: 59137 Tower ID: 22992 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Ribbleton: St Mary Magdalene
Overview
Grid reference: SD 565 313
The south façade of this small Victorian Gothic stone church faces onto Ribbleton Avenue, now the B6423 leading north-east out of Preston towards Leyland. The church was built in 1886-90 to a design by R Knill Freeman of Manchester, though it was not built as originally planned, it would appear that there was meant to be a west tower, which is now simply a continuation of the nave beyond the aisles. It is designed in the Decorated style. The use of pink dressings contrasting with the pale yellow sandstone is typical of this architect’s work, and as is always the risk looks a little odd, even twee. The very odd articulation and irregular fenestration of the nave, aisles and transepts adds to this impression.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
5-bay aisled nave (the aisles of four bays) under one roof with transepts only expressed above the aisles, shallow slightly lower chancel, south-east organ chamber, north-east chapel, west vestry block.
Dimensions:
Nave (without west extension) estimated to be c 17m x 7m (55ft x 23ft).
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, although the periphery is less affected by this. This part of Ribbleton is an urban priority area of 1930s and later housing estates.
The church was built in 1886-90 to a design by R Knill Freeman of Manchester, who also designed several churches in Preston itself and in other Lancashire towns. It was not built as originally planned, it would appear that there was meant to be a west tower, which is now simply a continuation of the nave beyond the aisles. The latter are not shown in the plan, which indeed bears little resemblance to the present building.
Exterior Description
The church is designed in the Decorated style.
The nave extends one bay beyond the shallowly pitched aisles, whose roofs hit the eaves of the nave. This western bay was probably intended as the base of a tower, and there is a large arched entrance in the south wall with continuous mouldings which would tend to support this. The west elevation has a large pointed 4-light with Decorated tracery flanked by sheer buttresses of one weathering. The south wall has two closely spaced 2-light pointed windows.
The west ends of the aisles have a small rose window in the north over the vestry, and a 2-light in the south. The aisles have two similarly closely spaced 2-lights between buttresses of two weatherings, then the rhythm is interrupted by a double gabled transept, of one lower narrow west bay with a long narrow 2-light and one wider higher gable with a rose window and a rose window high in the east wall; on the other side of this the organ chamber is continued along the west bay of the chancel south wall with a single lancet, ending with a 2-light window in the east wall, similar with the north chapel, but with a rose window in the east wall.
Beyond this are two closely spaced pointed 2-light windows in the chancel south wall. The east window is a pointed 3-light with Perpendicular tracery between gables of two weatherings. A long vestry block comes off the west end to the north, flat roofed and with round-headed windows in groups of two or three in the west wall.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century 5-bay, aisled
Transept
19th century expressed above the aisles
Chancel
19th century slightly lower
Organ (component)
19th century chamber
Chapel (component)
19th century north-east
Vestry
19th century west block
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century coursed
Stone
19th century pink dressings
Timber
19th century roof structure
Slate
19th century roofing
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is subtle and muted, the arcades smooth with pointed arches dying into the sheer octagonal piers, and transverse arches to the transepts. There is much here reminiscent of Freeman's work at Bamber Bridge St Aidan, but on a smaller and more intimate scale.
The walls are whitewashed, the floors carpeted throughout in red, but a calmer shade than often found, north chapel in the transept has a grey carpet. Tunnel-vaulted roofs. The west end is partitioned off by a traceried and glazed wooden screen, with a glazed and arched panelled draught lobby on the south side. Simple arches give access to the north-west vestry and south-east organ chamber. The south transept has a traceried wooden screen to the organ chamber and panelling on the south wall and is used as a baptistery.
The nave and aisles are fully pewed with plain light-stained benches with open lancet backrests to some, similar choir stalls in the chancel. The south aisle has been partly cleared and is used as a tea area. The chancel arch is broad and barely interrupts the roofline, with the slightest capitals. The organ pipes are displayed on the south side, which also has a simple sedilia and piscina. The north side opens through an arch to the Lady Chapel. A panelled reredos under the stained glass east window provides a dignified focus at the east end. Nicely panelled vestry.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Light stained oak chest with blind tracery. North chapel has a Gothic dark oak tracery bench and reredos of one piece.
Reredos
19th century Panelled with blind tracery, similar to altar. North transept chapel has panelling with tracery and a tracery canopy.
Pulpit
20th century The pulpit is of light oak, octagonal, with blind tracery. Panelled stone base, flight of stone stairs with iron and wood rail. Given 1942.
Font (component)
20th century Octagonal stone font, very plain with moulded wooden lid, given 1952.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century The south transept windows have the Nativity by Abbot & Co of Lancaster, c 1943. The east window has the Ascension, anaemic and perhaps also by them, c 1945. The west window is by Shrigley & Hunt of Lancaster, the Good Shepherd.
Plaque (component)
19th century Brass, various.
Organ (component)
20th century Two manual pipe organ by George Sixsmith, 1976. 2 pianos.
Rail
19th century Wood with paired standards and tracery.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
of remembrance in case (War memorial)
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 565 313
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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