Diameter: 24" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Thomas II Mears 1824
Dove Bell ID: 60921 Tower ID: 23978 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Tarleton: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: SD 456 201
The exterior is simple but attractive, and the mellow colouring of the old brick walls and slated roof slopes contributes to this effect. The walls of the nave are divided into four bays by shallow projections set diagonally which are obviously aesthetic, not functional and each bay has one round-headed window with a brick surround and stone keystone, the glazing still being original with narrow wooden astragals intersecting at the top, and much of the old glass still survives.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Rectangular nave with west porch containing a lobby, small vestry and staircase to the gallery; west bell-tower; small polygonal sanctuary.
Description of Archaeology and History
No architect is known for the church. The body of the building was erected in 1719 and was consecrated on 24th July that year. The bell tower was heightened and the west porch was added in 1824. The church stands on or near the site of a mediaeval chapel dedicated to St. Helen which disappeared in about 1550. For a hundred years the village had no place of worship until a Presbyterian chapel was built on another site in 1650. By 1718 this had become derelict.
Exterior Description
The church is a delightful example of the small Georgian chapels which the Victorians so despised but which are on the contrary much appreciated today. It is remarkable in retaining many of its original fittings. The exterior is simple but attractive, and the mellow colouring of the old brick walls and slated roof slopes contributes to this effect. The walls of the nave are divided into four bays by shallow projections set diagonally which are obviously aesthetic, not functional and each bay has one round-headed window with a brick surround and stone keystone, the glazing still being original with narrow wooden astragals intersecting at the top, and much of the old glass still survives. On the kneelers of the east and west gables there are elongated stone urns, and there is also one on the apex of the east gable. At the west end however the bell tower was raised in 1824. It is the bell tower which really gives the church its unique character. It is rectangular in plan, very shallow from west to east but broader from north to south, and rises above the west porch. The nave walls at each side have round-headed windows to light the west gallery and are stuccoed, as is the stage of the tower at this level. There follows a plain projecting course of stonework and above that the uppermost stage, faced with grey ashlar masonry, added in 1824. In each face of this stage, which now contains a single bell, are small bell-openings with odd ogee heads. This stage ends with a moulding and supports an open rotunda with a domed cap supporting a ball finial and iron weather vane. The low western vestry was also added at this date and although the bricks of the body of the church are laid in English bond ( "garden wall bond" with three rows of stretchers to one of headers), the porch is built of brickwork laid in simple stretcher bond - it is also not bonded into the nave at the angles.
The porch is entered by a round-headed doorway in the middle of the west wall and this is flanked by windows of the same general design as those in the nave walls, but of five rather than four lights width. The doorway has the addition of a stone surround (now plastered) and impost blocks as well as a keystone; the door itself is Victorian. At the opposite end of the church is the small apsidal chancel, semi-octagonal in plan, with a drainpipe running down the middle of the east wall from a fine lead rainwater head with an armorial shield of Banastre of Bank and the date 1719 and windows identical to those of the nave in the two canted walls. The roof seems to have been rebuilt at a lower pitch then the original since the weathering for its predecessor remains in the brickwork above. The wooden cornice, however, has dentils which may be original.
Building Materials
Sandstone
18th Century
Harrock Hill Grit
Sandstone
18th Century
Sandstone Flags
Interior
Interior Description
The west doorway leads into a small lobby separated from the body of the church by a double door covered with faded green baize with a round arch like the outer doorway. On the left is a door leading into the small vestry with a nineteenth-century iron grate within a corner fireplace and a small safe built into the wall. The font, which formerly stood in front of the communion rails, is also housed here. On the right a similar door leads to the stair to the gallery which begins within a room of the same proportions as the vestry but continues eastwards in a straight flight of fifteen steps made of oak and with turned balusters and moulded rail. This replaces a spiral stair which stood in the south-west corner of the nave; the old balusters were re-used. The lobby is paved with stone flags and the doors to left and right are of oak panelled with four fielded panels above and two larger plain panels below.
The floor of the church itself is paved with stone flags but the pews on each side are raised on timber platforms. The back half of the building is furnished with open benches and the front half with oak box pews. At the west end, and reaching halfway along the south side, is an L-shaped gallery with benches for the musicians at the west and box pews along the southern part. This is supported on fluted square pillars and has a panelled front. In 1824 when the gallery was extended along the south wall, more headroom was created by raising the plaster ceiling. The original level remains in the east bay. A sky-light was also inserted near the west end. In the western part a small doorway gives access to the contricted west turret and the bell is rung from this point. The sanctuary opens into the body of the church through a plain round arch and the lower parts of the walls are panelled. In the corners wooden dowels are used to give the effect of slender shafts and the plaster cornice has a simple leaf-like ornament. The communion rails are of oak and appear to be original.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
c.1874
The altar is of oak with a panelled front.
Reredos
c.1874
The reredos is of oak.
Pulpit
c.1874
The pulpit replaces one removed in 1874. It is of oak, seven sided and squashed into the north-east corner of the nave, with one panel to each face with stylised leaf patterns in the upper part. It was carved by the Rector, the Revd. M. Fletcher.
Font (object)
1719
Of stone painted to resemble oak; the shallow circular bowl is decorated with raised scallop ornament and stands on a tall tapering fluted shaft with a moulded base on a square plinth; the flat wooden cover has a rosette in the middle.
Rail
c.1719
The communion rails are of oak with turned balusters and a single central gate.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 456 201
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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