Litherland: St Andrew w St Thomas
Overview
Grid reference: SJ 340 964
Willink & Thicknesse, 1903.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
6-bay nave with narrow north and south aisles, north baptistery, west entrance lobbies; chancel with choir and clergy vestries to the north, organ chamber to the south. Subterranean boiler house beneath the vestries. Roof features central flèche.
Description of Archaeology and History
No finds of archaeological importance have been reported in the vicinity of the church, and no previous building is known to have existed on the site. No known burials to churchyard. Some trees and shrubs, but no known designations.
A detailed church history, produced in 1942, records the early history of the church. The foundation stone was laid on May 9, 1903. In 1941, two heavy high-explosive bombs fell on the church hall, which was being used as a temporary shelter for those who had lost their homes. All those in the church, which included member of the church’s Knitting Circle and church staff who were in charge of about fifty-six refugees, lost their lives. The present church hall (on the point of being sold to the Elim Pentecostal Church) was built as a memorial.
Exterior Description
Entrance lobbies at the west end, with a parapet. The main west doorway consists of paired wooden doors in a Gothic-arched surround, which has smooth reveals either side but roll-moulding above, and well-defined voussoirs to the tympanum. The section of the western lobbies steps forward and is defined with a pointed pediment. Either side of this central section is a square window, two-light, with cusped tracery; beneath the window on the south side is a foundation stone. The lobbies step out again to N and S. These corner lobbies have pyramidal roofs set within the parapets (the lobbies otherwise have a flat roof) and pointed pediments above the doorways N and S, which are detailed like the W entrance. The N and S lobbies have gableted diagonal buttresses at three corners; between those to the west façade on each side is a square window, two-light, with cusped tracery. The inner buttresses to the west façade, pointing inwards, help to emphasise the west doors, a good detail.
The E and W facades of the nave, and the (lower) E façade of the chancel, are defined by clasping buttresses with square parapets; those to the chancel are slightly battered. All three facades have pointed gables topped with a stone cross. The east and west windows have hoodmoulds, and the W façade is decorated with bands of terracotta. There are pitched roofs to the nave and chancel; arising from the centre of the ridge of the nave roof is an elegant flèche, octagonal and shingled, with a splay-foot roof supported on wooden brackets.
Flat-roofed aisles N and S, each bay defined by weathered buttresses that stop short of the parapets. Paired short lancets to each bay, with a string-course beneath. Additionally, at the NW corner of the nave, is an hexagonal baptistery with triangular buttresses and a single lancet to each bay. The bays of the nave are defined by weathered and gableted buttresses, and each contains a clerestory window in Tudor-arched surrounds. There are similar windows to the chancel, two to the N and one to the S.
Projecting from the N side of the chancel, under a hipped roof, are the single-storey choir and clergy vestries. Weathered angle buttresses to E and W. Stepping out from the N façade is an entrance portal under a weathered lintel, containing a doorway (up two steps) in a Tudor-arched surround. To either side of this portal is a window in a square surround; that to the W is three-light, that to the E is one-light. There are also three-light and one-light windows to the E façade of the clergy vestry, in front of which a set of stairs descends to the boiler house.
Projecting from the S side of the chancel is the two-storey organ chamber. It has a pitched roof; its S façade features windows in square surrounds, two-light to the ground floor and three-light to the first floor; the gable rises to a bell-cote.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century 6-bay
Aisle
20th century north and south, narrow
Baptistery
20th century north
Chancel
20th century
Vestry
20th century choir and clergy to the north of the chancel
Organ (component)
20th century south, chamber
Boiler Room
20th century subterranean beneath vestries
Spire
20th century central fleche
Building Materials
Brick
20th century
Terracotta
20th century details
Tile
20th century roofs
Wood
20th century roof structure
Painted Plaster
20th century inside walls
Stone
20th century inside details
Wood
20th century parquet floors
Interior
Interior Description
Narrow aisles to N and S, separated from the nave by a low arcade of triangular pillars (orientated to offer a flat side to the aisle and a point to the nave), separated by pointed arches. Clerestory above of single-light windows with a little perpendicular tracery. To each bay of the aisles, paired cusped lancet windows in a pointed-arched surround. Westernmost bay to N has a secondary arch to a baptistery, up two steps, with three small windows – cusped lancets containing stained glass. Arcade continues across W end, with three bays, screened with wooden doors with glazed panels, giving on to entrance lobbies. W window with perpendicular tracery filled with clear glass, seven-light. The barrel-vaulted nave roof rests on ogee-curved wooden brackets springing from plain stone corbels. Stone chancel arch with hood-mould with uncarved stops. Low stone walls to chancel, which is raised by three steps; a further step at the communion rail, two steps up to sanctuary, and the altar is on a dais of a single step. Wood panelling to chancel. A string-course runs around the chancel, beneath two windows to N side of chancel; central E window; and one window to the S. Stone arch to organ chamber, to the S; doorway to vestry in pointed wooden arch, S. E window with stained glass in perpendicular tracery, five-light. Barrel-vaulted chancel roof divided into panels. Easternmost bay of S aisle is enclosed by a curtain, forming storage space. E end of N aisle gives on to a meeting room (presumably once the choir vestry) parallel to the chancel, from which a further door gives on to a small entrance lobby with doors to a lavatory and the sacristy: the sacristy, lavatory and meeting room all have square-topped windows.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Wood with blind tracery to front.
Pulpit
20th century Stone base with wooden rail and brass book-stand.
Lectern
20th century Wooden eagle. An inscription records its donation in 1907 as a gift of the teachers and scholars of the Sunday school.
Font (component)
20th century Stone with wooden cover, octagonal. The base is star-shaped, with spurs that rise up the sloping sides of the font. It stands in a small baptistery off the north aisle, up two steps, framed by three small stained-glass windows.
Reredos
20th century Timber, with Gothic fretwork decoration.
Stall
20th century Timber choir stalls and reader's desks to chancel, with panelled fronts.
Bench (seat)
20th century Plain timber benches to nave, installed (replacing chairs) in 1911.
Rail
20th century Wood, plain.
Organ (component)
20th century Pipe organ, two manuals and pedals, with a compass of 61 notes and 30 notes respectively. A plaque records that the organ was dedicated by the Lord Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev. F. J. Chavasse D. D., on 9 October 1907, and was built by Messrs. Rushworth & Dreaper of Liverpool.
Plaque (component)
20th century Several memorial plaques including a WW1 plaque recording the names of “the gallant men of this parish and district who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918”. Painted scroll in wooden frame with Gothic detailing.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century E window: five-light with tracery. The Buildings of England gives it as c.1920, after Burlison & Grylls. A WW1 memorial: the inscription reads “In memory of the men who fell and in honour of those who fought in the Great War 1914-18.” The main subject is the resurrection, occupying the upper portion of the three centre lights: the risen Christ is seen in the centre with adoring angels to either side. In the two outside lights are figures of two patron saints, St Nicholas of sailors and St George of soldiers. Below these, respectively, are Christ stilling the tempest, and Constantine’s vision of the cross before battle. In the centre base the arms of the Diocese of Liverpool are supported by two angels. To the left are Christ tending to a wounded soldier and sailor (in WW1 uniforms), and to the right, Christ offering the crown of life to a soldier who gives up his sword. The main lights of the tracery are filled with figures of St Peter, St Andrew, St James and St John. The topmost opening contains the “Agnus Dei”, with devotional angels in the other small panels. Immediately above the main lights, eight angels bear banners reading “Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first-fruits of them that slept.” To the baptistery, three small windows in memory of the first vicar and his daughter. The inscription, which runs around the bottom of all three, reads “To the Glory of God and in loving memory of / the Revd. George Jackson MA the devoted / husband of Patti & and the first Vicar of this Church // 1904-1925 who was called to higher service / Feb 4 1931 aged 71 years, and of our only / child Kathleen Moira called home Aug 14 1928.” The first window depicts King David as a shepherd boy with his lyre, surrounded by sheep; the middle window depicts Christ as the light of the world, holding a lantern; the last depicts Mary with children.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers since 1905, now in archive at Liverpool Library.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SJ 340 964
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
Sources
Quinquennial Inspections
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