Sacred Heart Church, Blackpool facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacred Heart Church |
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| Church of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary | |
Sacred Heart Church, from Talbot Road
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| OS grid reference | SD 3072636433 |
| Location | Blackpool, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 20 October 1983 |
| Architect(s) | E. W. Pugin |
| Style | English Gothic |
| Completed | 1857 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lancaster |
| Province | Liverpool |
Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic church in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. You can find it on Talbot Road, near the town centre. It was the very first Roman Catholic church built in Blackpool. This important building has been given a special status as a Grade II* listed building by English Heritage.
Contents
The Story of Sacred Heart Church
How the Church Began
The Sacred Heart Church was started by a group called the Jesuits. They wanted to build the first Roman Catholic church in Blackpool. The church was built in 1857. A famous architect named Edward Welby Pugin designed it.
Growing Bigger and More Important
Later, in 1894, the church needed more space. It was made bigger towards the east side. This new part was designed by the company Pugin & Pugin. On October 20, 1983, the church was officially named a Grade II* listed building by English Heritage. This means it's a very special building with a lot of history. Since 2004, priests from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster have served the church. The current parish priest is Canon Robert Dewhurst.
What the Church Looks Like
Building Style and Materials
The Sacred Heart Church is built from stone. Its roofs are made of slate. The church is designed in the English Gothic style. This style often features pointed arches and tall windows.
Inside the Church
The church has a main area called a nave. This nave has four sections, called bays. In the middle, there's an eight-sided area called a crossing. Around this crossing are the aisles and transepts (the parts that stick out like arms). The roof over the crossing is shaped like a pyramid. It has an eight-sided wooden structure on top with pretty patterns. This top part also has a copper pyramid roof.
The Tower and Windows
The church tower is on the west side. It has four levels and strong supports called buttresses. At each corner of the tower, there are tall, pointed decorations called pinnacles. The aisles also have buttresses and upper windows called clerestories. The windows in the aisles have three sections of glass. The windows in the nave transepts have four sections. Some of the beautiful stained glass in the nave was designed by Frances Barnett. The windows added in 1894 are larger. They have a special pattern called reticulated tracery. The big window at the east end might have stained glass by William Wailes.
Inside Details
Inside the nave, there are arcades (rows of arches). These arches are supported by columns called piers. These piers are made of marble and have carved leaf designs at the top. The arches are pointed, known as lancet arches. There's also a two-section balcony at the west end. The main altar area, called the chancel, has two small chapels next to it. One special feature is the white marble pulpit. It's eight-sided and has carvings. It rests on red and black columns.
Nearby Buildings
To the east of the church, there's a building called a presbytery. This is where the priest lives. It was built around 1950 in a Neo-Georgian style. To the west, there's an old school building from 1898. The church does not have its own graveyard.
Images for kids
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Nave
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Altar
See also
- Listed buildings in Blackpool
