St Marie's Church, Widnes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Marie's Church, Widnes |
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St Marie's Church, Widnes
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| OS grid reference | SJ 513 851 |
| Location | Widnes, Halton, Cheshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Redundant |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | December 2006 |
| Architect(s) | E. W. Pugin |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1862 |
| Completed | 1865 |
St Marie's Church is an old Roman Catholic church in Widnes, Cheshire, England. It is located on Lugsdale Road. This building is no longer used for church services. It is officially recognized as a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical site.
Contents
The Story of St Marie's Church
This church was built between 1862 and 1865. It was needed because many Irish people moved to Widnes. They came to work in the local chemical factories. The church provided a place for them to worship.
The church first opened its doors in 1865. It was designed by a famous architect named E. W. Pugin. St Marie's Church was given its Grade II listed status on December 22, 2006. However, it stopped holding services early the next year.
Challenges and Future Plans
St Marie's Church is currently on a special list called the "Buildings at Risk" list. This list is made by a group called Save Britain's Heritage. It means the building needs help to be saved. The Victorian Society also named it one of the ten most endangered Victorian buildings in Britain.
In 2012, the church received a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money will help change the church building. It will become a new space for a group called Halton and St Helens Voluntary Action.
Exploring the Church's Design
St Marie's Church shows off a style called Gothic Revival. This style was popular in the Victorian era. It brings back elements from medieval Gothic churches.
Outside the Church
The church is built from red brick. It has special sandstone decorations. Blue brick bands also run around the building. The roof is made of Welsh slate.
The church has a simple, single-room layout. The main part of the church, called the nave, has a rounded end at the east. This rounded part is called an apse. There are also side sections, called aisles. These aisles have sloping roofs.
At the west end of the church, there is a gable. On top of this gable is a small bell tower, called a bell-cot. It has a cross at its very top. Below it are three tall, narrow windows. These are called lancet windows. There is also a double doorway.
The sides of the aisles have strong supports called buttresses. Each section between these supports has two lancet windows. On the north side, there is an arched doorway. Above the arch, a mosaic reads, "I am the Immaculate Conception." At the east end, the aisles also have gables. Each of these gables has a round window and a cross on top. The rounded apse at the east end has pairs of lancet windows.
Inside the Church
Inside, the main space connects to the aisles through arcades. These are rows of arches supported by thin columns called piers. At the west end of the church, there is a balcony. This balcony holds the church's organ.
At the east end of both aisles, you will find an altar. The ceiling of the apse has colorful paintings and stenciled designs. The main altar screen, called a reredos, is very fancy. It is made of alabaster and has beautiful paintings. These paintings show the birth of Jesus, the Annunciation, and the Assumption. These artworks are thought to be by J. A. Pippet.
In front of the reredos is a richly carved altar. There is also a special seat for blessings, called a benediction throne. It sits under a detailed canopy. The church also has a large pipe organ. It was made around 1880 by Wadsworth of Manchester.
See also
- Listed buildings in Widnes
