St Wilfrid's Church, Melling facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Wilfrid's Church, Melling
St Wilfrid's Church, Melling, from the southeast
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OS grid reference	SD 599 711
Location	Melling, Lancashire
Country	England
Denomination	Anglican
Website	St Wilfrid, Melling
History
Status	Parish church
Dedication	Saint Wilfrid
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	Grade I
Designated	4 October 1967
Architectural type	Church
Style	Gothic, Gothic Revival
Completed	1866
Specifications
Spire height	55 feet (17 m)
Materials	Sandstone rubble Stone slate roof
Administration
Diocese	Blackburn
Province	York

St Wilfrid's Church is a historic church located on Main Street in Melling, Lancashire, England. It is a very important building, listed as a Grade I heritage site. This means it has special historical or architectural value. The church is an active Anglican church. It is part of a group of churches in the East Lonsdale area. These churches include St Peter's in Leck, St John the Baptist's in Tunstall, St James the Less in Tatham, the Good Shepherd in Lowgill, and Holy Trinity in Wray.

The Church's Long History

The oldest parts of St Wilfrid's Church date back to around the year 1300. However, the church is built near an old motte-and-bailey castle. This suggests that there might have been a church here as early as the 10th century.

Building Changes Over Time

Most of the church you see today was built in the late 1400s. In 1763, the church was renovated, and a new upper level of windows, called a clerestory, was added. More work was done in 1891 by famous architects from Lancaster, Paley, Austin and Paley. This renovation cost about £1,100 at the time.

The Morley Chapel

A special part of the church is the Morley Chapel. It was first created as a chantry, a place for prayers, by John Morley. He was a soldier who fought in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. The chapel was changed a lot in 1841. It was then restored to its original purpose as a chapel in 1994–95.

What Does the Church Look Like?

St Wilfrid's Church is built from sandstone rubble (rough stones) and has a stone slate roof.

Key Parts of the Church

The church has a tower at the west end. It also has a main area called the nave and a special area for the altar called the chancel. These two parts are under one continuous roof. There are also side sections called north and south aisles. You can enter through a porch on the south side, and there is a south chapel.

Special Features Inside and Out

The tower has strong supports called buttresses and a decorative top edge called an embattled parapet. A window in the south aisle is very old, dating back to around 1300. It even has a small piece of medieval stained glass.

Inside, some of the seats in the aisles are from the 1700s. However, the seats in the nave, the decorative screens, the pulpit (where sermons are given), and the communion rails were added in the late 1800s. The chapel has a special cupboard called an aumbry and a small opening called a squint. You can also see many memorial plaques on the walls.

During the Victorian restoration work, some older pieces were found. These include a piece of Norman decoration, part of a crucifix, and part of an old grave stone. These are now built into the vestry wall. The beautiful stained glass in the east window was designed by Henry Holiday.

Music and Bells

The church's organ was made in 1891 by J. W. Walker of London. The church has a ring of six bells. These bells were remade in 1754 from three older bells that were originally made in the 1400s.

Important People Buried Here

Ann Fenwick of Hornby Hall was buried in the middle aisle of the church in 1777. She was an important Catholic woman in the area. She even went to the House of Lords to fight for her rights.

Outside the Church

The churchyard has several interesting features.

Old Sundial and Tombs

There is a sandstone sundial in the churchyard, likely from the 1700s. It has a brass plate and a gnomon (the part that casts the shadow). This sundial is also a listed building, rated Grade II.

You can also find the Hodgson tomb chest, which dates from the early 1700s. Part of the churchyard wall, the steps leading to the gate, and the gate pillars are also listed as Grade II.

War Grave

In the southwest corner of the churchyard, there is a war grave for a Royal Air Force airman who died during World War II.

See also

• Grade I listed buildings in Lancashire
• Grade I listed churches in Lancashire
• Listed buildings in Melling-with-Wrayton
• List of works by Paley, Austin and Paley
• Scheduled monuments in Lancashire