Low Moor: St Mark
Overview
Grid reference: SE 152 283
The original church was built in 1857 to designs by the prolific local architects Mallinson and Healey, with chancel, nave and transepts. There were galleries in the transepts and the west end of the nave; the organ was in the west end gallery. This Victorian Gothic church is on the whole typical of designs by Mallinson and Healey, although the additions have produced a certain irregularity in style. The west elevation has three separate pitched roofs of the nave and aisles. Each aisle has a three light window with a small quatrefoil in the head, and the nave has a pair of similar smaller windows of two lights.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Chancel, aisled nave, transepts (the north transept and aisle converted to parish hall) north west tower, and vestries.
Dimensions:
Nave including crossing approx 70ft x 23ft (23m x 7.5m)
Description of Archaeology and History
The original church was built in 1857 to designs by the prolific local architects Mallinson and Healey, with chancel, nave and transepts. There were galleries in the transepts and the west end of the nave; the organ was in the west end gallery. In 1891 the transept galleries were removed, the organ was re-sited in the north vestry, and a choir vestry and a clergy vestry were built between the chancel and the north transept. The east wall was extended slightly further to the east, as was the south transept to create a chapel next to the chancel.
In 1911 a faculty was granted to construct north and south aisles (including a south porch), at the same time the west end gallery was removed and a new choir vestry constructed to the north of the north transept. In 1975 a parish hall was constructed in the north aisle by partitioning it off from the church, a toilet block was also added at this time on the north side of the church.
Exterior Description
This Victorian Gothic church is on the whole typical of designs by Mallinson and Healey, although the additions have produced a certain irregularity in style. The west elevation has three separate pitched roofs of the nave and aisles. Each aisle has a three light window with a small quatrefoil in the head, and the nave has a pair of similar smaller windows of two lights. These windows are all of plate tracery and set within pointed arches. All have hood-moulds, those in the nave with foliate stops while the aisles have labels; a string course runs continuously underneath the windows. There is a large bowed triangular window in the nave gable. The nave has buttresses at each side and a taller central gabled buttress, the aisles have angle buttresses of two weatherings.
The steeply pitched transept with its huge rose window dominates the south elevation. The roof of the chapel, which was added to the east of the transept in 1891, continues at the same height as the aisle and stops just short of the chancel, which was also extended. There is a small south west porch with separate pitched roof, the gable, as all others on the church, has a cross finial; the doorway is a wide pointed arch with simply moulded outer arches carried on three orders of shafts.
There are three windows in the south aisle, all with plate tracery as previously described and each of two lights; a buttress of two weatherings divides the first and second from the porch. The transept has a small arched doorway, set in a wide buttress, with hood and foliate stops as seen on the aisle windows. On either side of the doorway there are single light windows with cusped heads. The transept projects slightly from the aisle and chapel and also has angled buttresses. The chapel has three windows of single lights, a pair close to the transept and a single further to the east. The broached spire to the north transept can be seen over the nave roof.
The east face of the south chapel has a three light window, the style is however slightly different from the those already described; it has Y tracery with three trefoils in a line over the lights and two larger quatrefoils above. The chancel has a small two light window in the south side which reverts back to the same style as the aisles. The angled buttresses to the chancel have gables as seen in the central buttress on the west wall of the nave. The main east window has geometric tracery and is of five lights, the central has a small trefoil above and there are also two cinquefoils and a larger cluster of trefoils. There is small trefoil opening at the top of the gable.
To the north of the chancel there is the pitched roof and chimney of the vestry which now houses the organ; there is a much smaller single storey clergy vestry with half-hipped roof leaning onto this and in the gable above a small quatrefoil. The smaller vestry has a row of four equal short lights with cusped heads, set in a rectangle. A further vestry which was added in 1911 adjoins the north side of the now organ house, this has square domestic style windows.
The spire to the north transept is broach and has lucarnes, there is also a smaller single light set further down on the north face. A flat roofed single storey extension, comprising modern toilet block and entrance to the parish hall has been added to the north of the transept and has caused the eastern of the two windows (and possibly an earlier door) to be blocked; otherwise in style, the transept mimics its southern counterpart.
The north aisle, which is now a parish hall, shows the original four windows identical in style to the south with the buttress in the middle, however the westernmost window has been blocked and a small modern door inserted.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
East main. 5 lights and roundel. The Crucifixion. Inscription illegible
Stained Glass
Chancel south. 2 lights and quatrefoil. Our Lord with Mary and Martha. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Fanny Darwin Woodcock who entered into rest Dec 4th 1901 aged 33 years.
Stained Glass
East wall of chapel. 3 lights. Christ rising from the tomb. Two disciples to the left and the women to the right. In memory of Charles Hardy late of Odsall.
Stained Glass
Chapel south-east. 1 light. The Holy Family. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Benjamin Harpin of Low Moor died Sept 4th 1876 aged 78 years also of Mary wife of the above born May 21st 1802 died July 27th 1885.
Stained Glass
Chapel south -west. 2 lights. Ruth and Dorcas. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Frances Annie Harpin wife of Joseph Harpin of Low Moor, born Nov 30th 1847 died Nov 1st 1885.
Stained Glass
West end south. 3 lights, quatrefoil roundel. (l-r) The boy Samuel in the temple. Our Lord carrying the cross. The beggar at the gate. The bottom half of the lights have a bold floriate pattern. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Edward Markham who died July 13th 1896 aged 76 years and of Emma Harriet Markham his wife who died Dec. 26th 1896 aged 75years.
Stained Glass
West end main. 2 windows each of 2 lights with trefoil roundel. Both have a bold diamond and quatrefoil pattern. A large bowed triangular window above, set in a pentagon of stone work with Lamb of God in centre of tracery.
Stained Glass
West end north (in parish hall). 3 lights. The Good Samaritan. In loving memory of Richard Ashe King
Stained Glass
North wall (in parish hall).2 lights (left plain). The risen Christ and a woman at the tomb. To the Glory of God and in affectionate memory of Rufus Baines died Dec 27th 1903 erected by friends 1905. Kayle & Co Leeds.
Stained Glass
North transept wall (in parish hall). 1 light. St Wilfrid. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Revd Robert Wood Loosemore MA first Vicar of this church 1857-1867 erected by parishioners and friends.
Stained Glass
Chancel north. 2 lights and quatrefoil. The woman at the well with Our Lord. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Elizabeth Ann, wife of Henry B Woodcock who entered into rest Sept 10th 1892 aged 60 years.
Building Materials
York Stone
Walls of random coursed york stone
Slate
Westmoreland slate roof
Interior
Interior Description
The nave has a four bay arcade and the transepts two bays, which are set within a higher pointed arch pierced by an open sexfoil. The nave arcading has octagonal columns and capitals whereas the transepts supporting column is taller and spherical. The outer arches of the transept arcade spring from small corbels in imitation of the columns.
The south aisle, which is plain glazed, contains the font at the west end and is empty of furniture, whereas the nave is still pewed with simple pine pews. Looking eastwards from the aisle through a pointed archway, the transept is wonderfully lit by the rose window. A further arch and small (previously external) doorway lead to the chapel. The arch has a carved head stop on the south side but the north side of the arch has been cut and now dies into the wall.
The chancel and chapel are three steps up from the body of the church; this area is gloomier than the rest of the church due to the stained glass in all windows. The double window in the chapel, depicting Ruth and Dorcas, has a spherical column from the sill to the middle of the two lights.
The chancel arch has simply moulded shafts with carved foliate capitals. The chancel has a two bay arcade, the columns are spherical and have carved foliate capitals. The organ display pipes show through the bays to the north, also visible is a small arched doorway leading eastwards through to the clergy vestry. The southern bays open to the chapel. The chancel is furnished with two choir stalls on either side and front desks, the floor has some mosaic work.
The sanctuary is a further step up from the chancel and has stained glass windows on all sides. It has wood panelling on all sides flanking the reredos which is a gold painted depiction of Christ and angels. There are paintings of the four Evangelists on either side of the east window. The windows in the sanctuary have rere-arches, some of which have carved capitals, and the hoods also have head stops.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1857
High altar - wooden table with eight legs and some tracery work.
Altar
1857
Chapel altar – smaller simple wooden table.
Reredos
1857
Dark stained wood panelling of sanctuary, three central panels painted gold with Christ and angels on either side. Kayle & Co Leeds.
Pulpit
1857
Octagonal stone pulpit integral with chancel arch and wall. Open arcading with cusped arches, decoration includes chevron and foliate work.
Lectern
1857
Brass eagle
Font (object)
1857
Octagonal table style, standing on octagonal plinth with 8 marble pillars with foliate capitals.
Organ (object)
1895
By Abbot & Smith 1895. Rebuilds in 1926 and 1962 by Willis & Son and Abbot & Smith respectively. Restored 1982 by Michael Fletcher.
Rail
1857
Hinged wooden rail, supported on scrolled wrought-iron stanchions.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 152 283
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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