Nominal: 719.5 Hz Weight: 1686 lbs Diameter: 43" Bell 1 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 5474 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Radcliffe: St Mary
Diocese of Manchester
Church, 624311
http://www.radcliffeparishchurch.comOverview
Grid reference: SD 796 75
A large medieval church of weathered stone, broad and low, with the short west tower imparting a little vertical emphasis. The church is set in a semi-rural location on the east side of the small township of Radcliffe between Manchester and Bury, on a strip of land between the Rivers Irwell and Roch. There is no evidence for a Pre-Conquest church here, but there was certainly one by the early 13th century and probably earlier. : The church as it is seen today is a complex amalgam of different periods from then on.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
2-bay aisled nave with north transept and west tower, chancel with south chapel and north vestry.
Dimensions:
Nave c 12m (40 ft) x 6m (19ft), 7m (22ft) wide south aisle of same length, chancel 7m long (22ft).
Footprint of Church buildings: 459 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Radcliffe is recorded as 'Radecliue' in the Domesday Book of 1086. There is no evidence for a Pre-Conquest church here, but there was certainly one by the early 13th century and probably earlier. The Radcliffes retained the advowson and manor until the Reformation, occupying the large manor house from which the pele tower survives.
The chancel was rebuilt in the early 14th century, the tower added and nave refenestrated in the late 15th and partly rebuilt and refurnished in the early 17th and 1665. The chancel and the vestry were rebuilt in 1817. The East Lancashire Railway and Bolton and Bury Canal, which pass close by, and the development of the cotton industry led to expansion of the village, and there was a major 19th-century restoration of the church in 1870-73 by J Medland & H Taylor of Manchester, who added the south chapel and extended the south transept to form a wider aisle; a west gallery was removed at this time. The vestry was rebuilt in 1903, when the church was restored again, with gas lighting installed, later replaced with electricity.
Exterior Description
The church as it is seen today is a complex amalgam of different periods. The south aisle and chapel appears to be almost a separate Medland Taylor building, but even this contains older fabric.
The short west tower has no defined stages, but stepped diagonal buttresses to full height and a plain crenellated parapet with corner pinnacles. The louvred belfry openings are of three stepped lights with arched stone heads and wooden mullions under a round head, these features of the 1665 restoration. There are two inscriptions upon the tower. On the south side is a shield representing the arms of the Asshetons of Middleton. On the north side is a tablet, with an heraldic shield of the Radcliffes, with the date 1665, and the inscription EDWARD RATCLIFFE beneath. The west face has a clock face under the belfry, below this a possibly original 2-light window with ogee cusping, in turn over a pointed doorway with hollow chamfer to the arch and a hoodmould to block stops, this apparently Victorian.
The aisles have separate gabled roofs. The north and south elevations are now asymmetrical, the latter aisle wider and higher; the clearstorey is hidden from view by this aisle. Externally the south elevation still appears transeptal; although the transept has been extended east to create a wider south aisle, the original transept is still expressed with a gable surmounted by a wheel cross final (such also to north transept and east end).
The pointed 3-light in the transept gable may be original, although renewed, it is flanked by Victorian gabletted buttresses. The fenestration of the 19th-century west aisle bay and the 2-bay chapel is identical, square-headed windows with typical Taylor tracery, as have also the pair of 2-light pointed windows in the west end of the aisle and east chapel wall. The former south transept was almost certainly not totally demolished during the construction of the south aisle by J Medland Taylor as has been suggested, as the break in masonry is still clearly visible in the internal south wall.
The narrower and lower north aisle has a 3-light pointed window in the west end, renewed. The aisle has a square-headed 3-light with Perpendicular tracery and a label.
The clearstorey windows have uncusped arches to the 3-light windows, within segmental heads. The north transept diagonal buttresses and some mediaeval masonry, north window as the south transept.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
3-light east window, the Crucifixion, angels above and with Christ in Glory in top light. Very good. Possibly by Shrigley & Hunt
Stained Glass
East window south chapel: 2-light with St Peter and Paul in memory of John Howarth. By William Wailes of Newcastle.
Stained Glass
1900
East window south chapel: 2-light with St Cecilia and Agnes (with lamb). 1900. Perhaps Shrigley & Hunt
Stained Glass
2-light. Luke 10:37 go and do thou likewise and 8.13 God be merciful to me a sinner. By William Wailes of Newcastle
Stained Glass
1913
South aisle: Suffer the children. Donated in memory of Councillor James Cunliffe 1913. Perhaps Shrigley & Hunt
Stained Glass
South aisle: Adoration of the Magi by Kempe & Co. Dedicated by the Milne family in 1906
Stained Glass
1950s
West end south aisle: 2-light window, the Good Shepherd, 1950s in memory of Revd Backhouse vicar 1936-57
Stained Glass
1955
West end south aisle to Lloyds family, the Good Samaritan
Stained Glass
1882
West end north aisle: 3-light window Angel appears to women at the tomb, Christ blesses Mary Magdalene, Christ rises from the tomb, in memory of Thomas Howarth, 1882. Good. Perhaps either an early Edward Reginald Frampton, or a William Francis Dixon
Stained Glass
Three 2-lights to north aisle, donated by Edmund Grundy and family died 1856, various vignettes. Possibly by William Wailes of Newcastle
Stained Glass
1888
3-light north aisle: Anne teaches Mary, Mary Magdalene washes Christ’s feet, and is blessed. Mary with child Jesus. In memory of Dowager Annie Starkey 1888
Stained Glass
3-light north aisle: Magdalene washes Christ’s feet with text she loved much, and Psalm 84.1 in scrolled texts in outer lights. Possibly by William Wailes of Newcastle
Stained Glass
Medallions in clearstorey windows. Possibly by William Wailes of Newcastle
Building Materials
Millstone Grit
1th Century
Millstone Grit
Slate
1th Century
Slate
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is low, quite dark and characterised by exposed stone, and has an intense antique atmosphere. Looking west, tall plainly chamfered tower arch filled with pointed glazed screen and carved and balustraded gallery. Looking east, the nave arcades are supported by quatrefoil piers with broad shafts and diagonal hollows, which support moulded 4-centred arches. There are hatchments mounted above the arches. The ceilings are of very low pitched panelled oak, apparently a Victorian replacement of the earlier, similar ceiling, with big bosses and angels to the pierced and gilded beams of the nave and aisles and eagles at the wall plates. The nave floor is of stone slabs with worn ledger slabs set into it.
There are benches at the west end of the nave, bearing panels some of which have inscriptions and carved panels with the date 1665, others clearly taken from the lost pulpit of 1606. The other benches are Victorian and of high quality, with curved ends and tracery panels, as are the choir stalls. The south transept has a piscina, perhaps 13th-century.
The chancel has a plain pointed chancel arch of two orders taken down to engaged columns with moulded capitals, apparently the remnants of the 14th-century chancel, though recut in 1903. An earlier roof line is visible above the chancel arch. Low timber chancel screen with blind tracery. There is a Gothic open tracery screen across the south arch, and another to the south chapel from the transept. Depressed-arch panelled ceiling to the chancel and chapel, painted cream, and complex open timber roof to the transept, typical Medland Taylor elaboration.
The arcades to the south chapel and north organ chamber (with exposed pipes and console) are of the same profile and style as those of the nave, Victorian stops and Commandment boards. There is a painted plywood tympanum in the moulded pointed arch to the vestry with Virgin and Child, added 1999. An alabaster slab is set in the floor behind the altar with effigies of James de Radcliffe and wife and miniature figures at their feet, early 16th-century. The chancel has a black, red and white patterned marble floor. A fine oak reredos and stained glass make for a dignified focus at the east end.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1875
Oak table in chancel with carved tracery, of a piece with the reredos.
Reredos
1875
Oak with coved cornice with carved shields and IHS and gilded tracery, inset panels with coloured gesso relief, St George and St Michael flanking St Mary and St John facing inwards to a sunburst in the central panel. South chapel has panelling with tracery.
Lectern
1875
Brass eagle lectern.
Font (object)
Octagonal stone font with tall stem
Bells
Nominal: 1444 Hz Weight: 488 lbs Diameter: 26" Bell 2 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 35973 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1361 Hz Weight: 512 lbs Diameter: 27.13" Bell 3 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 35974 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1208 Hz Weight: 498 lbs Diameter: 28" Bell 4 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 35975 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1079 Hz Weight: 576 lbs Diameter: 30.13" Bell 5 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 35976 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 964 Hz Weight: 718 lbs Diameter: 32.44" Bell 6 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 35977 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 906 Hz Weight: 835 lbs Diameter: 34.5" Bell 7 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 35978 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 809.5 Hz Weight: 1096 lbs Diameter: 38.13" Bell 8 of 8
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1923
Dove Bell ID: 35979 Tower ID: 13493 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 796 75
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.
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
Showing 11 entries of 11 View All
Quinquennial Inspections
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.