St Ambrose Church, Widnes facts for kids
St Ambrose Church is a historic church located in Widnes, England. It was built in 1882. The church was designed by an architect named James Francis Doyle from Liverpool.
Contents
Building a New Church in Widnes
In the 1870s, Widnes was a town that was growing very quickly. It was known for its chemical factories. With so many people moving in, life could be tough. People needed places to gather and feel safe.
On May 13, 1878, a decision was made to build a church. It would have space for 320 people. Mr. John Bibby, a local landowner, generously gave a piece of land for the church. This land was about one acre in size. Before the main church, a smaller building called the Page Lane Mission was built. It opened its doors on February 16, 1879.
The Main Church Building
Soon, it became clear that an even bigger church was needed. The plan changed to make space for 520 people. James Francis Doyle was chosen as the architect for this larger church. He was well-known for his work in Liverpool and the Wirral.
Laying the Foundation Stone
Part of the money for the church came from a group called the Incorporated Church Building Society. The first stone of the church, called the foundation stone, was laid on October 8, 1879. A very important person, the Home Secretary, Mr. R. Assheton Cross, helped with this special ceremony. The Vicar of Farnworth led the service.
Opening and Completion
St Ambrose Church officially opened on Monday, March 28, 1881. However, the chancel (the area around the altar) was not yet finished. The church was fully completed and paid for by December 6, 1883. This is when it was officially "consecrated," meaning it was set apart for holy use. The total cost to build the church was £5,150. This amount did not include the many gifts people gave to the church.
Exploring the Church's Design
St Ambrose Church is built in the traditional Gothic style. This means it has tall arches and pointed windows. The church is designed to face east, which is a common tradition.
Inside the Church
Inside, you'll find a long main area called the nave. On each side of the nave are two side aisles. At the very front is the chancel, which ends in a rounded shape called an apse. The nave has five large arches supported by pillars. Above these arches are windows called clerestory windows, which let in light. The roof of the chancel is the same height as the nave. The vestry (a room for clergy) and the organ are located on the south side of the chancel.
Beautiful Stained Glass Windows
The church has three beautiful stained glass windows. One window at the west end of the nave was made by Caroline Townshend. It shows three important women from the Bible. The main window at the east end shows Jesus as the Good Shepherd. On either side of this window are war memorial windows. These windows show St Ambrose and St George.
There's also a very special window in the south aisle. It was given in 1947 by German former prisoners of war. They gave it to thank the church for its kindness and hospitality. This window shows St Boniface, who is the patron saint of Germany. He was born in England.
Unfinished Plans
The original plans for the church included a tall tower. However, this tower was never built. You can still see hints of where it was supposed to be. There's a "blind" arch (an arch that leads nowhere) on the north side of the chancel. There's also a "blind" door at the end of the north aisle. These show where the tower would have connected.
Later, a small addition was built onto the vestry. This addition was used for a toilet and to store tools for churchyard maintenance. The outside door to the tool storage area has since been sealed up. This was likely done to prevent vandalism.
Modern Updates to the Church
Over the years, changes have been made to the church. These updates help it meet modern needs and rules.
Interior Changes
In the 1980s, some of the pews (church benches) were removed. Carpet was laid at the back of the building. This created an open space around the font (where baptisms happen).
Accessibility and Facilities
In 2001, a ramp was added to make the church accessible for people with disabilities. This ramp was designed by architect Robin Wolley. In 2008, the back arches on each side of the nave were enclosed. This created a kitchen on the south side and toilets on the north side. One of these toilets is also accessible for disabled people. These changes were designed by Snape Cowing Architects.
New Heating System
In 2011, the entire heating system of the church was replaced. The old pipes and boilers from the Victorian era and 1960s were no longer working well. The church now has a modern heating system with new boilers, pipes, and radiators.
Leaders of St Ambrose Church
The church has had 12 vicars (church leaders) since it was built:
- Sherley Allan Spooner M.A. (1884–1888)
- George Antonius Le Bert M.A. (1888–1898)
- Thomas Simcox Lea D.D. (1899–1904)
- Herbert Payne Hiscoke M.A. (1904–1913)
- Willian Robert Johnson M.A. (1913–1919)
- George Gordon Dawson M.A., B.D. (Cantab.), Ph.D. (London), Surrogate (1919–1932)
- Joseph Hignett Banks M.A. (1932–1955)
- Sydney Thomas Goddard (1955–1959)
- Laurence Hoyle (1959–1961)
- Norman Francis Lionel Williams (1961–1978)
- Paul Terence Jones B.A. (1978–2000)
- Jeremy Paul Leffler B.Ed., B.Th. (2000–2012)
In 2012, there were plans to work more closely with other churches in the area. This would allow clergy to be shared between St Ambrose and nearby parishes like St John, Widnes, and St Luke, Farnworth with Cronton.
