Gawthorpe: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: SE 269 217
The church was built in 1898, little or no alteration appears to have been undertaken since that time. The nave and chancel each have steeply pitched roofs with crosses at either end, separated by the stone bell-cote, also surmounted by a small cross. Beneath this the west wall has two windows in round arches separated by a wide mullion, each of two lights with a transom, the panels with trefoil cusped heads. The aisles’ west windows are two-lights of similar style but smaller.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4 bay aisled nave, chancel, Vicar’s vestry, choir vestry, organ chamber, and two porches on the south side.
Dimensions:
Nave approx. 8m (25ft) x 16m (50ft)
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1898, little or no alteration appears to have been undertaken since that time. The architect is unknown and research is ongoing to discover more about the building history.
Exterior Description
The nave and chancel each have steeply pitched roofs with crosses at either end, separated by the stone bell-cote, also surmounted by a small cross. Beneath this the west wall has two windows in round arches separated by a wide mullion, each of two lights with a transom, the panels with trefoil cusped heads. The aisles’ west windows are two-lights of similar style but smaller.
The south aisle has a porch with a pitched roof at the west end. This porch has a wide wooden doorway set within a pointed arch with a simple hood mould. Above the door in the gable there is a crocketed recess with foliate stops. There are three windows in the south aisle, the easternmost of two lights and the others three, with cusped heads, the buttress in the middle of the aisle is of two weatherings.
The vestry to the south of the chancel at the east end of this aisle has a separate pitched roof; it has two tall equal lights with cusped heads in both the south and east walls. Another smaller porch leans onto the vestry and south aisle, this has a single door under a round arch. The north aisle extends eastwards to form the organ chamber against the chancel. The windows of the aisles are all of three lights with cusped heads, except the furthest east on the south aisle, which has two; they are all set within round arches. The sanctuary has single lights on both the north and south walls; the main east window is of five lights and has Decorated tracery, again set into a pointed arch
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
West end. Jesus healing the sick. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of John Nettleton, born 27th July 1832 died 20th March 1910 erected by his children
Stained Glass
South aisle, Saints Aidan, Francis and Oswald in separate lights. In loving memory of Ernest Nettleton Harrap who died 11th December 1948 and of Annie his wife who died 27th June 1926
Stained Glass
South aisle. Simeon holding baby Jesus and Mary (in two lights) angels in tracery above. By Heaton Butler Bayne. This window, together with the two in the sanctuary are dedicated to the Glory of God and in memory of Mary Elizabeth Terry by her husband 1909.
Stained Glass
Sanctuary South – Elizabeth. By Heaton Butler & Bayne
Stained Glass
Sanctuary North – Female figure. By Heaton Butler & Bayne
Stained Glass
East window – Angel Gabriel, Mary, crucifixion, nativity, angels in tracery above.
Building Materials
Stone
Walls of local stone
Slate
Roofs of blue slate
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is white except for the stonework around the windows and the columns of the arcade. The nave is of 4 bays, the arcades with double chamfered pointed arches springing from octagonal stone columns.
The west end of the north aisle has wooden panelling and low benches to mark it as a children’s corner. The opposite end culminates in a pointed arch showing the organ display pipes; the organ chamber has another taller arch opening onto the chancel. The church is still pewed and is laid with a deep red carpet throughout. A staging area extends from the chancel into the first bay of the nave.
The roofs in the nave have three timber trusses and four half trusses with purlins and rafters exposed, the chancel has a coffered roof of blue painted boards with timber mouldings. The aisles have exposed rafters and purlins, the timber boarding in-between is painted white.
The reredos covers the east wall and doubles as a war memorial; it is wooden with panels and a detailed canopy above. The south wall of the chancel has a stepped sedilia and aumbry with cusped heads, there is also a door leading through to the Vicar’s vestry.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1898
Heavy wooden table
Reredos
1898
Intricately carved wooden panelling with crocketed canopy above. It also doubles as a World War I memorial.
Pulpit
1898
Stone hexagonal structure, connected to the chancel arch. Decorated with pointed arched recesses containing cusped tracery except one, which has a small statue of Mary and Child. The arches have small polished apparently marble columns. Brass plaque – to the Glory of God this pulpit and lectern were bequeathed by Elizabeth Nettleton Bennett of Hanging Heaton, who died on the 12th day of March 1898.
Lectern
Modern of light pine.
Font (object)
1898
Stone circular bowl with a hexagonal base and plinth – with wooden top.
Font (object)
Small wooden modern hexagon
Rail
Tripartite wooden rails with open tracery front. These rails are erected to the Glory of God and in memory of Arthur Hay, Vicar of this Parish 1920-1925
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 269 217
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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