Lumb: St Michael
Overview
Grid reference: SD 837 248
The church is a squat cruciform mid-19th century building with central tower in a neo-Norman style, built of grey stone and blending naturally into the rather bleak landscape, an effect heightened by the ruinous state of the east end. It is perched atop a prominent small hill overlooking the road from Rawtenstall to Burnley and the village of Lumb itself, which straggles along the road for half a mile or so.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1847-8 to a design by J Clarke at a cost of some £2,000, by public subscription with donations and encouragement from the Commissioners, the land donated by a Mr George Hargreaves of Blackburn. There was formerly a large gallery filling the whole of the south transept, as well as a long narrow gallery at the west end. The exact date of their removal is unknown, though it was probably the late 19th century. The chancel, transepts and tower were abandoned in 1994 due to widespread dry rot in these parts of the building, and are now in a semi-ruinous state, with only the nave used for worship.
Exterior Description
The church is very plain and compact, with a low central tower of two stages surmounted by a corbelled parapet, one of the few decorative reliefs. The vestry adjoins the north wall of the sanctuary, and there is a memorial porch at the west end (erected in 1921) with carved oak panels bearing the names of those who died in the first world war. The doorway is a round arch with one order of shafts, with cushion capitals and a plain hood-mould.
The windows of nave, chancel and transepts are single lights with splayed reveals and plain round heads, the transept windows surmounted by hood-moulds. The recessed tower windows are two-lights with louvres, again round-headed and divided by a colonette with cushion capital. There is a single circular window at the end of each transept surmounting the two single lights, also the case with the west gable, and two small embrasures in the stair turret. There are simple wheel crosses on the nave and transept gables.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
Unknown
The centre window at the east end was presented by Miss Bovill, of Newchurch, and bears on a brass plate beneath the brief inscription:
In Memory
A. R. B.
Stained Glass
Late 19th Century
East end, window on the right has the following inscription:
"To the glory of God and in memory of Samuel Ashworth Lord, of Ashlands, in Newchurch, Rossendale, for eleven years Warden of this Church, who died June 20th, 1871, in the 5]st year of his age. This plate is inscribed and the window above erected by his sisters."
Stained Glass
Late 19th Century
East end, window on the left. The inscription below the window is as follows:
“To the glory of God and in memory of James Munn, of Fern Hill, Rossendale, for six years Warden of this Church, who died July 22nd, 1871, aged 35 years, and was interred in the family vault, Newchurch. This plate is inscribed and the adjoining window erected by his surviving widow and children."
Stained Glass
Unknown
The window in the chancel, behind the choir stalls, bore the following inscription on the stained glass:
" 'Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.' In Memoriam, Louisa et Jacobi Kinder."
Stained Glass
1887
The window in the north transept was erected in memory of Bishop Fraser, second bishop of Manchester, and was presented by persons in Lumb who had been confirmed by him. At the top of the window, in the stained glass, is the monogram " J.M."; in the centre, bunches of grapes, the emblem of good works; and at the bottom the bishop's mitre.
Interior
Interior Description
The chancel arch has been blocked off, and the nave interior is clean, bright and whitewashed (with the exception of the chancel arch itself), covering the Victorian stencilling which used to adorn the walls and arch.
The arches to chancel, nave and transepts are plain, springing from plain responds which have chamfered abaci. The nave roof has arch-braced collars and oak rafters, carried on moulded corbels. The nave floor is of quarry tiles, the porch floor of stone flags.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1900
Oak table, blind tracery front with Alpha, IHS and Omega.
Pulpit
1850
Pitch pine. Early Norman design, built by Messrs. T Thomason & Co of Manchester. Not kept in the church.
Lectern
Late 19th Century
The large brass eagle lectern was presented by Mrs Ann Ashworth, and bears the following inscription:
"To the glory of God and in loving memory of Richard Ashworth. Born Match 6th, 1827, died October 21st, 1881. Presented by his widow”.
No longer in the church.
Font (object)
1949
Limestone tub font with square bowl on a cylindrical stem and base, given by Elijah Sutcliffe Law. Wooden lid with cross handle.
Organ (object)
1991
Yamaha electric
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 837 248
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
Submit a change
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