Rock Ferry: St Barnabas
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 331 868
Although the church was obviously built with due regard to economy, it is nevertheless an interesting example of the Arts and Crafts application of mediaeval methods to contemporary building needs. The exterior is very plain, with a wide sweeping roof which has a continuous ridge from end to end and comes down over the aisles without a break or even a change in pitch. The clerestory is provided by means of three dormers with half- timbered gables above the four lights.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Six-bay flanked by aisles in all except the west bay; north-west porch; chancel with north organ chamber and clergy vestry and south choir vestry.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1903 and was consecrated on 24th February 1904. The architects were Grayson and Ould of Liverpool. The driving force of this partnership seems to have been the character of Edward Ould; he had been a pupil of John Douglas from whom he obviously derived his enthusiasm for half- timber construction, and his importance as a exponent of the half- timbered revival is displayed in several of the commissions carried out by the firm, not least in the varied buildings executed for Lord Leverhulme's estate at Port Sunlight nearby (including houses between 1895 and 1905, the Post Office of 1891, the Bridge Inn of 1900 and two shops of 1905). The partnership also worked at Thornton Hough for Lord Leverhulme, building there a house in 1894 for his father and a year later for his brother in addition to a later house and Village Club, both of 1904.
Exterior Description
Although the church was obviously built with due regard to economy, it is nevertheless an interesting example of the Arts and Crafts application of mediaeval methods to contemporary building needs. The exterior is very plain, with a wide sweeping roof which has a continuous ridge from end to end and comes down over the aisles without a break or even a change in pitch. The clerestory is provided by means of three dormerswith half- timbered gables above the four lights. Even the small south-west porch is simply a further continuation of the same roof slope. On the north side, however, some variation is provided by the cross gables of the north-west porch and the north-east organ chamber and vestry leading from the chancel. The bays of the north and south aisles are marked by low buttresses and for the most part the straight-headed windows are arranged in groups of four although some bays have fewer. The projecting bay at the west end of the nave has clasping buttresses with two off-sets at the angles between which an arch surrounds the west window. The latter is broad, with five main lights and tracery which seems partly Decorated and partly Perpendicular in inspiration. The north and south walls of this bay are blind, and on the apex of the gable stands a bell-cote with two arches for bells, both occupied.
The chancel projects slightly to the east but has no features of special interest, the five-light east window being of identical design to the west window save that the lights, being slightly taller, are given transoms. The north organ chamber has two tall windows in the north wall separated by a buttress, each window of two cupsed lights with transoms and a cusped pointed quatrefoil in the tracery. The gable has plain wooden barge-boards, a domestic touch which links up with the dormer-like clerestory windows and the black-and-white gable of the north west porch.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
c.1920
The east window, of five lights, shows Christ in Majesty surrounded by various Saints, c.1920 by John Hardman and Co, Ltd.
Stained Glass
c.1920
A single light in the south aisle, representing St. George, by Hiss Trena M. Cox.
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is dominated by the timber-framed structure of the nave arcades, which stand out well against the plastered walls, and gives something of the impression of the mediaeval timber-framed churches of Cheshire without being a direct copy of them. The main structure consists of post-and-beam arcading with queen-post roof trusses supportingby and supporting curved braces which lend the design its own special quality. The placing of windows in dormers amongst the beams is also an attractive feature and one which counteracts the weightiness which might otherwise have resulted from a timber roof of solid proportions standing on low aisle walls. The nave floor is of wood blocks and the whole area is well lit, especially from the west window which was doubtless purposely made Sample for this reason. The walls are painte white and the ceiling lime green.
The chancel arch is plain, with stone responds carrying a simply chamfered brick arch. In front of the low wall which acts as a screen the pulpit and lectern stand in their expected places. Arches at the east end of each aisle communicate with the organ chamber on the north and choir vestry on the south, at which point the stone recording a donation of £135 from the Incorporated Church Building Society is now partly obscured by a later beam. Of the chancel there is really very little to say. It is rather dark as a result of heavily-coloured stained glass in the east window and dark oak panelling and reredos on the walls. The organ stands on the north and a door opens into the vestry on the south. The east wall has been painted a different colour and is decorated with a shield inscribed "ST . MATT GOSPEL" and a shield containing crossed keys for St. Peter (the dedication of the parish church). The roof is a simpler version of queen-post trusses without the curved braces found in the nave, and the floor is tiled, with stone steps.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
c.1921
The altar is of oak, presumably of c.1921 , the date of the panelling to which it is attached.
Reredos
c.1921
The reredos is of oak, with seven panels incorporating tracery in the Perpendicular style under a straight cresting.
Pulpit
The pulpit is of oak, half an octagon in plan, with linenfold panels decorated with rosettes and an iron handrail.
Lectern
The lectern is an oak eagle on a pedestal.
Font (object)
1904
The font is large, of red stone in a neo-Perpendicular style and of octagonal shape.
Organ (object)
c.1904
The organ is by Nicholson and Lord of Walsall, doubtless of c.1904, and has two manuals and pedals, seventeen speaking stops.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 331 868
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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