St Mary's Church, Fernyhalgh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Mary's Church, Fernyhalgh |
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St Mary's Church and presbytery from the southwest
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| OS grid reference | SD 554 341 |
| Location | Fernyhalgh Lane, Broughton, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | St Mary, Fernyhalgh |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 11 November 1966 |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 1792 |
| Completed | 1794 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Lancaster |
St Mary's Church is a special Roman Catholic church located in Fernyhalgh, a village in Lancashire, England. It was built a long time ago, between 1792 and 1794. The church was needed because a smaller chapel at nearby Ladyewell House became too crowded for all the people visiting.
Next to the church, on its east side, is the presbytery, which is where the priest lives. Both buildings are made from red brick with stone details and have slate roofs. Close by, there's also an old school building from 1836, which is now used for other things. Ladyewell House itself is very old and holds a 16th-century altar, along with special items called relics. In its garden, you can find another chapel and a holy well. Both the church and Ladyewell House are still used today for church services, special visits called pilgrimages, and for people to explore.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of St Mary's
Fernyhalgh has been a place for Christian worship since the 11th century. This became even more important after the English Reformation, a time of big changes in religion. The house with the shrine was rebuilt in 1685. From then on, it became known as Ladyewell.
A woman known as "Dame Alice" used to run a school nearby. More than 100 students would visit the shrine and church every day. This school was mainly for Catholic children, but it welcomed students of any religion.
By the late 1700s, the chapel at Ladyewell House was too small for all the people who came to visit. So, a decision was made to build a bigger church. Land was bought about 0.25 miles (0.4 km) away. The church and the priest's house were built between 1792 and 1794. This happened soon after a new law, the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1791, made it easier for Catholics to practice their faith. Around 1844–1847, the inside of the church was beautifully painted and decorated. Stained glass windows were also added at this time.
Exploring the Church Building
Outside the Church
The church is built with red bricks and has a stone base and details. It has a slate roof with stone edges on the gables. The church is shaped like a cross when you look at it from above. It has five main sections, with two side sections called transepts.
Each section has a large, round-topped window with a stone arch around it. The front of the church, facing west, is covered in a smooth finish. It has a small bell tower on the roof and a round porch at the entrance.
Inside the Church
Inside, there's a gallery at the back (west end) of the church. This gallery is supported by strong columns. The arches in the side sections (transepts) are round-topped and have painted undersides. The ceiling is flat, and there's a curved arch leading into the special area called the sanctuary, where the altar is.
The reredos, which is a decorated screen behind the altar, has four fancy columns. It's richly painted and gilded with gold, showing circles and a diamond shape with the Virgin Mary. Above this, there's a painted dome in deep blue with gold stars and a dove. The altar rail, which people kneel at, is made of a smooth stone called alabaster and is from the late 1800s. The statues inside the church were made by a famous company from Munich. The colorful stained glass windows were installed in 1854.
You can also find memorials inside. One is for Catharine Hesketh, a nun who died in 1809 and became an abbess (a leader of nuns) in Ghent. On the floor, there are special metal plaques that remember the priests who served the church in the 1800s.
The Presbytery
The presbytery, where the priest lives, is connected to the east side of the church. It's also made of red brick with stone details and a slate roof. It has two floors and two main sections. One section has a bay window that sticks out, and there's a doorway in a newer part added in the 20th century. Some of the original features inside the presbytery have been kept.
The Old School Building
The old school building is located to the west of the church. It was paid for by Father Richard Gillow, who was the priest at the time. Built in 1836, the school is made of sandstone with slate roofs. It has a balanced, H-shaped design. The main part has three sections and two floors. The side wings have three sections and one floor.
The main entrance has a decorative frame and a flat top. The windows are rectangular, though their glass has been changed over time. At the top of the main building, there's a low wall with a triangular part in the middle. This triangle shows the year the school was built in Roman numerals. The triangular parts on the side wings have signs that say "GIRLS" and "BOYS."
The Ladyewell Shrine
Inside Ladyewell House, you'll find the Burgess altar and many special relics and items related to martyrs (people who died for their faith). The altar was created in 1560 by a person named Mr. Burgess. The most important relics are those of Thomas Becket, which have been confirmed as real.
In the garden of Ladyewell House, there's a chapel called the English Martyrs Chapel and a holy well. In the nearby woods, you can follow the Stations of the Cross, which are a series of images showing events from Jesus's last day.
Why St Mary's is Important
St Mary's Church was recognized as a Grade II listed building on November 11, 1966. This means it's a building of special interest that should be protected. The old school building also received the same Grade II listing on January 13, 1986. Grade II is the lowest of three grades for listed buildings, given to those that are important enough to be preserved.
St Mary's Today
St Mary's is still a very active church within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lancaster. Church services are held regularly in both the church and Ladyewell House. Ladyewell House is also open for visitors on certain days. Many people come on pilgrimages to visit the church and house. The old school building has now been changed and is used as a nursery and a community center for the church.
See also
- Listed buildings in Broughton, Lancashire
- Shrines to the Virgin Mary
