Diameter: 20" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by Clibury (generic) 1633
Dove Bell ID: 61184 Tower ID: 24155 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Tockholes: St Stephen
Overview
Grid reference: SD 659 234
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave and chancel in one block, south vestibule with gabled facade, east block.
Dimensions:
Chancel and nave estimated to be c 14m x 10m.
Description of Archaeology and History
The church and site have a complex history and (perhaps) very early origins indeed. Tradition has it that the first church was built as early as 640 and dedicated to St Michael, and also has it that the “Toches Stone” in the churchyard is the remains of a 9th century preaching cross, which gave the village its name. The church is not specifically mentioned in Domesday, but this is very vague concerning this area of Lancashire. However this may be, Tockholes is mentioned from 1200 and there was certainly a church here from the late 13th century, as we have a list of vicars from this date. The church was rebuilt in 1494, and restored in 1620. In 1831 it was pulled down and replaced by 1833 by a Commissioners church designed by Rickman & Hussey. It cost £2,084. Rickman also worked for the Commissioners at nearby Darwen Holy Trinity and Mellor St Mary.
Shortly after this the school building was erected against the east wall of the churchyard. It had a wooden outdoor pulpit from Mellor St Mary (Pevsner), which was replaced by a stone one in 1910. The large stone lychgate was added in 1906. This church was in turn pulled down, leaving only the façade of the porch leading into the present building, built 1965-6 by Houston & Forbes and intended only as a temporary structure.
The site must be considered to be of high archaeological significance and potential, and the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) should be consulted before any development of the buildings or site is undertaken.
Exterior Description
The church is approached from the road to the south through the large lychgate, dated 1906 on the rear gable. The front gable has an inscription in memory of John Pickop Esq, J P, 1832-1903, and "I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE" around the arch. The lychgate is of dressed sandstone, and has a stone slate roof with moulded copings. It has large hollow-moulded arches with hoodmoulds with shield stops to front and rear, and projecting angle buttresses with weatherings and gableted heads. It appears to have been modelled in part on the earlier porch (see below).
On the right as one follows the path to the church porch is a large sandstone sundial, probably 19th-century. This has short spear-headed railings enclosing an octagonal base with 4 clustered colonnettes supporting a circular table, from which the plate and gnomon are missing. Base lettered "G. Thornber sculpt."
Behind this on the right is the old School building. This is a very simple long low rectangular single-storey structure, of sandstone random rubble with a slate roof. It has a plain doorway offset to the left, with a 2-light window with a hollow-chamfered mullion to the left of it; to the right of the door is a square plaque inscribed “St. Stephen’s School, Tockholes, was erected A.D. 1834, upon the Glebe Land by voluntary Subscription, aided with a Grant of £150 from the National Society, London Gilmour Robinson Inc”. Further to the right is an arched raised doorway enclosed at the base by the stone semi-hexagonal external pulpit on a pedestal, which has clearly been inserted into the fabric. There must surely have been more windows when it was used as a school, and there are indications in the fabric that this was so.
The church itself is entered through the façade of the early 19th-century church porch, which is quite elaborate. The pointed entrance has a moulded arched head springing from colonettes with moulded Early English capitals, and hood-mould over with waterleaf stops. There is a vesica above the doorway with two carved shields under the Agnus dei. The arch is flanked by clasping buttresses with one weathering and gablets, and a moulded gable with cross finial above. The 1833 church was therefore probably in the Commissioners favoured lancet style.
A flat roof gives cover from the rain between the façade and the doors of the church building itself, the sides are open. A steel and glass vestibule projects from the main body of the church, containing several objects from the old church. The main building is a simple gabled block with steel-framed rectangular windows in the north and south walls, which makes no attempt to be ecclesiastical. It stands on a paved plinth, presumably an attempt to stop the building subsiding down the slope as the previous buildings did. There is a plain brick wall projecting from the south-west corner to form a belcote, with a single bell and a cross finial, perhaps from the old church. Attached and to the east are three smaller blocks with vestry and toilets.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
19th century
Chancel
19th century
Vestry
19th century
Building Materials
Brick
19th century facing
Sandstone
19th century walls
Slate
19th century roofs
Interior
Interior Description
Moving inside, many of the fittings and furniture including bench pews from the Victorian church have been kept, and the interior is traditionally arranged. The floors are of vinyl or carpet with the ventilation ducts from the old church.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
19th century Oak panelled chest.
Reredos
19th century curtain
Pulpit
19th century The pulpit is of stone, octagonal with carved blind arcading.
Lectern
19th century Brass reading stand with spiral tripartite legs.
Font (component)
19th century Octagonal stone font, on the north side of the chancel.
Stained Glass (window)
19th century Stained glass in the eastern window in the north wall, a small coat of arms surrounded by modern glass in a mosaic pattern.
Inscribed Object
19th century White marble pointed headstone-shaped tablet in the porch with history of church and list of vicars from 1292.
Organ (component)
20th century Electronic instrument.
Rail
19th century Oak communion rail.
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Registers held at Lancaster Record Office.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 659 234
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.
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
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