St Michael and All Angels Church, Altcar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Michael and All Angels Church, Altcar |
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Church from the southwest
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| OS grid reference | SD 320,065 |
| Location | Great Altcar, West Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Churchmanship | Central |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Founder(s) | William Molyneux, 4th Earl of Sefton |
| Dedication | St Michael and All Angels |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 11 October 1968 |
| Architect(s) | John Douglas |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 1878 |
| Completed | 1879 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Timber framed, red tile roof |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Altcar |
| Deanery | Sefton North |
| Archdeaconry | Liverpool |
| Diocese | Liverpool |
| Province | York |
St Michael and All Angels Church is a special church located in Great Altcar, a village in West Lancashire, England. This church is built using a unique style called timber-framed construction. It is recognized as a Grade II* listed building, meaning it is very important historically. The church is an active Anglican parish church and is part of the diocese of Liverpool. Many people describe it as a "charming church."
Contents
History of the Church
The first mention of a church here dates back to 1429. In the 1600s, the church was made of wood and plaster. Sadly, a fire destroyed it in the 1740s. A new church was built and opened in 1747. This building was small and made of brick. It had a small dome, called a cupola, with one bell inside.
That brick church was later taken down. The current church was built between 1878 and 1879. It was designed by a famous architect named John Douglas. The 4th Earl of Sefton, William Molyneux, 4th Earl of Sefton, paid for the entire building. In the 1990s, the church was repaired. Workers fixed problems like wood rot that was damaging the timber frame.
Church Design and Features
Outside the Church
The church is built with a half-timbered style. This means it has a wooden frame with the spaces filled in, sitting on a brick base. The roof is made of red tiles. The wooden frame has many vertical timbers placed close together. Experts think timber was used because the ground, which is made of peat, was not strong enough for a heavy stone building.
The church has a long main area called a nave. There is a bell turret on the front roof, a porch on the south side, and a narrow aisle on the north side. The chancel, where the altar is, is a bit lower. There is also a room for the organ and a vestry (a room for changing robes). The bell turret has a pointed roof with a decorative top piece and a weather vane. This church is special because it is the only one designed by John Douglas that is completely half-timbered.
Inside the Church
The communion rails, chancel rails, and pulpit were all designed by John Douglas. They are made of beautifully carved wood. Behind the altar, there is a special screen called a reredos. This one is made of painted tiles. It shows a picture of Jesus breaking bread with two people, Cleophas and Mary. On the left side is St Michael, and on the right is Euphrasia. The only stained glass in the church is in the west window. This window was made in 1885 and shows the baptism of Jesus.
Churchyard Features
At the entrance to the churchyard, you will find a lych gate. This gate was built in 1879 and was also likely designed by John Douglas. It is made of oak wood with a stone slate roof. This gate is also a Grade II listed building. The churchyard is a burial ground. It contains the war grave of a soldier from World War II. There is also a grave for a Royal Air Force pilot who died in Afghanistan in 2006.
See also
- Grade II* listed buildings in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Great Altcar
- List of new churches by John Douglas
