Nelson: St Bede
Overview
Grid reference: SD 865 370
Built in 1929 by Grimshaw & Townsend, a local firm of architects based in Accrington. The mother church was Little Marsden St Paul. Windowless, rendered W end suggests a missing tower.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Aisled nave and narrower chancel, south transept.
Dimensions:
Nave estimated to be 14m x 13m (44’ x 40’8’’).
Description of Archaeology and History
There are no recorded prehistoric or Roman finds in Nelson. The Nelson historic town assessment provides a history of the area. It explains that local place names suggest Anglo-Saxon settlement, although the earliest documentary evidence dates to the 12th century. At this time the two townships of Great and Little Marsden were in existence and were divided across two manors within the parish of Whalley. The name ‘Nelson’ was not used until the mid-19th century. The name was introduced by the East Lancashire Railway Company which opened a station at Hibson in 1849, after the Lord Nelson Inn, a local landmark. By the medieval period the area was characterised by farming with some small-scale coal mining and, from the 14th century, some cloth manufacture. Common land was enclosed in the first half of the 17th century. Muslin manufacturing had been introduced by 1750. Spinning mills were built in the 18th century. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal opened in 1776, and turnpike roads in the late 18th century, both stimulating further growth of the cloth industry. The population of Nelson and its environs grew exponentially in the second half of the 19th century, and again following the arrival of the railway in 1849. Housing and mills also grew in number.
The archaeological potential of the site is low.
Burial of cremated remains on N side of churchyard. Churchyard backs onto a nature reserve (Priority Habitat Inventory: Deciduous Woodland) and is bordered with mature trees to the W.
Exterior Description
It is narrow and high, this making up for its lack of a tower or belcote. The style chosen is basically Early English with some touches of Free Gothic and Arts and Crafts influence, more obvious in the interior. This would appear to be a trademark of the architect’s work.
The east façade has a gabled and shouldered parapet, with a large round-headed blind arch under this containing a round window split into quarters by the arms of a large cross in relief, giving together a Celtic cross motif. Below this at ground level is a rectangular 5-light window with a curious overhanging monolithic lintel, to light the crypt. These are broken and partly boarded up.
There is a long single pointed lancet in the sanctuary side walls with free Gothic tracery, and the parapet is carried around the sides with a gable in the west bay of the north wall of the chancel above a pointed 3-light window with cusped tracery. Two rectangular 2-light windows at ground level have been boarded up.
The south transept façade is the same height and form as the east, but is treated as if it were a tower, pierced by four tiers of windows. The lowest stage has a single rectangular window offset to the east, to make space for the foundation stone in the middle. The next stage up has a rectangular 2-light, above this is a tall lancet as in the sanctuary side walls. Above this in the head of the gable is a tall narrow rectangular light. The north and south walls have another 2-light at the same height as in the south façade to light the organ chamber. There is also a simple door in the east wall and another in the south leading down via steps to the boiler room.
The nave fenestration is of Y-tracery 2-lights, three in the north wall and two in the western bays of the south, the eastern bay has a rectangular 2-light. There is a 2-light pointed window with Y-tracery in the east end of the south aisle. The west wall is blind and rendered, with a single small bell held in stocks under a tiny gable protruding from the wall. Under this are two strip pilasters. There is a small gabled block at the south-west corner.
Building Fabric and Features
Nave
20th century
Aisle
20th century
Chancel
20th century narrower than nave
Transept
20th century south
Building Materials
Sandstone
20th century facing
Slate
20th century roofs
Terracotta
20th century ridge tiles
Painted Plaster
20th century west wall interior
Concrete
20th century frame
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is a surprise, with exposed grey stonework and dark engineering brick arches contrasting with the whitewashed roof and chancel arch. The latter is plain, pointed and dies very gently into the walls. The other arches giving access to the organ chamber from the south aisle and the opening to the nave are similar. The nave bays are articulated by curving trusses, the ceiling is pointed and panelled.
The floors are of woodblock, with green carpets in the central aisle and chancel. The nave is full of chairs, probably 1930s. The sanctuary has plain benches with panelled fronts as choir stalls, with a similar panelled screen taking up half the organ chamber arch, the console, Baroque style case and exposed pipes visible above. Under the east end there is a crypt with a small chapel and toilets.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Oak table brought from elsewhere in the 1950s.
Pulpit
20th century The pulpit is of banded artificial stone, canted surfaces with pierced panels.
Lectern
20th century Stone slab base, wooden reading shelf.
Font (component)
20th century Square base and bowl in dark stone.
Reredos
20th century Wooden, tripartite with open Gothic tracery and a curving cornice to match the underside of the round east window. It is said this also came from another church in the 1950s, which seems odd considering how well it fits its location.
Bench (seat)
20th century Plain benches with panelled fronts and lightly carved ends in chancel. Litany desk with carved ends made from sycamore.
Rail
20th century Simple wooden hand rail.
Organ (component)
19th century Two manual pipe organ by Hardy & Son of Stockport, c 1880.
Plaque (component)
20th century Stone plaque on nave N wall: “A. M. G. D. The Foundation Stone of this Church was laid by John Procter’ Esq., on the 25th day of May 1929. John Milner, Vicar. W. Foulds, R. Pickup, Wardens.” Plaque by vestry door: “Remember James Henry Byrom for two generations a faithful servant of god and his church in this parish and Little Marsden. The upper panels and framing are from timber of the ancient tithe barn of Little Marsden, now demolished. 1947” Plaque on Litany Desk: “This litany desk executed in sycamore wood from the tree that overshadowed the old carpenters’ shop which was the beginning of this church of St Bede, is presented by the founder and some of the original worshippers.” Stone plaque “To the honour and glory of God and in grateful remembrance of Eliza Jane Dixon of Burnley, whose legacy made the building of this church possible.” Plaque recording gift of E Window .
Stained Glass (window)
20th century • East window, an angel in each arm of the cross. Given 1950 in memory of Hannah Whiteoak. • East wall of the south aisle, young Jesus at the lathe in the workshop watched by Joseph, holding a set square, and Mary, an unusual subject (pictured). Grisaille. Given by the children of James and Elizabeth Ann Russell, perhaps 1930s. Abbot & Co. Lancaster. Good detail and colour, but rather wooden execution. • South-east chancel window, St John the Evangelist above, the Last Supper below in a roundel enclosed within the Tree of Life below. Given in 1945 in memory of John Greenhaigh, died 1937, by his widow Constance Alice Greenhaigh. • St Bede writing, perhaps 1970s, in the crypt.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Rush-seated wooden chairs in nave.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SD 865 370
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
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