St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Nicholas Church, Wrea Green |
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St Nicholas Church from the south
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| OS grid reference | SD 397,316 |
| Location | Wrea Green, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website |
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| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Dedication | Saint Nicholas |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Designated | 11 June 1986 |
| Architect(s) |
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| Architectural type | Church |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking |
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| Completed | 1884 |
| Administration | |
| Parish |
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| Deanery | Kirkham |
| Archdeaconry | Lancaster |
| Diocese | Blackburn |
| Province | York |
St Nicholas Church is a beautiful old church located in the village of Wrea Green, Lancashire, England. It's an active Anglican church, which means it's part of the Church of England. It serves the local community as a parish church. The church is also a special building, listed as Grade II. This means it's important for its history and architecture. It shares its church duties with St Matthew's in Ballam and St Michael's in Weeton.
Contents
History of St Nicholas Church
Building the First Chapel
In 1721, some people called the trustees of Nicolas Sharples' charity bought land in Wrea Green. They built a small chapel there using money they had collected. This chapel was allowed to hold services in 1722. It was officially made a church by the Bishop of Chester on June 20, 1755.
Becoming a Parish Church
In 1846, a new area was added to the village of Ribby with Wrea. This new area became the parish of Ribby with Wrea. This made the chapel a "perpetual curacy," which meant it had its own priest. In 1869, it became a "titular vicarage," led by a vicar.
Building the Current Church
The first small chapel was taken down. On May 13, 1848, the new vicar, G L Parsons, laid the first stone for the church we see today. The church was rebuilt between 1848 and 1849. It was designed by architects Sharpe and Paley from Lancaster. The building cost about £1,600 back then.
The new church opened on September 23, 1849. However, it wasn't officially made a church until May 4, 1855. In 1857, more parts were added, like the pulpit, organ room, and vestry. The tall steeple was added in 1884 by Paley and Austin, who took over the architectural practice. This cost £1,300.
Later, in 1931–32, Henry Paley from the same firm (now called Austin and Paley) made more changes. He added a beautiful marble floor to the chancel (the area near the altar) and new choir seats. In 2007, an extension was built at the west end of the church. This part now serves as a community center for the village.
Architecture of St Nicholas Church
What the Outside Looks Like
St Nicholas Church is built from sandstone rubble (rough stones) and has blue slate roofs. Its style is called Early English Gothic. The church has a main area called a nave with four sections. A tower is attached to the south side of the nave. There's also a chancel at the east end.
The tower has three levels. It has a doorway on the south side and a round stair turret at its northwest corner. The middle level has a small gabled niche with a statue inside. The top level has three-light openings for the bells. On top of the tower is a pointed broach spire. It has two-light lucarne windows on each of its four main sides.
The windows in the nave are made of two tall, narrow lancet windows with a round window above them. The east window in the chancel has three lights and fancy Geometrical tracery (stone patterns). There are also two double lancet windows on the south side of the chancel. The west window has a double lancet with a six-petal rose window above it.
What the Inside Looks Like
Inside the church, you'll find a beautifully carved and gilded (decorated with gold) reredos behind the altar. There is also a stone pulpit where sermons are given. The east window has colorful stained glass made by Shrigley and Hunt.
The church has a two-manual pipe organ that was built in 1988 by Sixsmith. This organ replaced an older one from around 1880.
Images for kids
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St Nicholas Church from the south
See also
- Listed buildings in Ribby-with-Wrea
- List of works by Sharpe and Paley
- List of ecclesiastical works by Paley and Austin
- List of ecclesiastical works by Austin and Paley (1916–44)
