Northwich: St Luke
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 647 742
This is a large red brick Late Victorian church in the lancet style, sited on a raised area with a steep drop to the road to the south. In 1897 this building replaced an earlier iron Mission Church, of a different site, to serve this Victorian extension of the town of Northwich. Although the architect was apparently John Loughborough Pearson, this is the year of his death and this design may have been produced by his practice rather than the hand of the master, which is indeed difficult to discern. This church is notable mainly for its sheer bulk, a large gabled red brick block, and its appearance suffers for the failure to implement plans for a tower at the west end.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4-bay nave, north porch, 2-bay chancel with south vestry and adjacent large transept housing the organ. Hall underneath west end taking advantage of the slope.
Dimensions:
Nave 25m long, 10m wide, chancel 8m square (25ft).
Description of Archaeology and History
Winnington is a Victorian extension to Northwich, best known for its chemical works founded in the 1870s by Brunner & Mond. Winnington gew quickly during the late 19th century, and an iron Mission church was built on a different site in 1884, replaced by this building in 1897. Although the architect was apparently John Loughborough Pearson, this is the year of his death and this design may have been produced by his practice rather than him personally. There are no archaeological remains expected on this site.
Exterior Description
This church is a notable large gabled red brick building. There is a small 4-light window low in the wall and a pointed door to the hall under the west end, one has to leave the church and walk around to access it, entering via steps.
There is an east window of three lancets and three thin lancets to the north wall, a similar 4-light west window, otherwise pointed 3-light windows to the nave with cusped Y-tracery. Stone stepped sill band and hoodmoulds. Paired plate tracery 2-lights to the vestry east wall. North porch to the western nave bay, plain gabled with one order of colonettes.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1954
East window with st John and St Luke and the Good Shepherd, given by MU.
Stained Glass
1910
East window of north nave wall with Mary and Child flanked by St Elizabeth and St Anne, stiff lifeless figures and faces possibly taken from photographs. Given in memory of Lady Brunner, died 1910. Signed by Heaton, Butler & Bayne. Typical of their later work.
Nave
19th century 4-bay nave
Porch
19th century north
Chancel
19th century 2-bay
Vestry
19th century south
Transept
19th century large, housing organ
Church Hall
19th century underneath west end
Building Materials
Brick
19th century red brick walls
Stone
19th century tracery and banding
Interior
Interior Description
The hall has a kitchen and toilets. The interior of the church is a huge open space, exposed brick walls and open arch-braced timber roof on carved stone corbels. Plain benches in the nave, choir stalls with carving. Sedilia in brick and stone, tiled floors mostly under blue carpet. Tall pointed arch housing the organ with exposed pipes.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century oak chest with carved detail
Pulpit
19th century plain hexagonal wood
Lectern
19th century reading desk
Font (component)
19th century octagonal stone font plain with IHS on panel and wooden cover
Plaque (component)
19th century various brass plaques
Organ (component)
19th century 3-manual organ built by Peter Conacher of Huddersfield
Rail
19th century oak with intricate iron standards
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers dating from 1897
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 647 742
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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