St Wilfrid's Church, Ribchester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Wilfrid's Church |
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 St Wilfrid's Church
Location in the Borough of Ribble Valley
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| 53°48′37″N 2°32′00″W / 53.8103°N 2.5332°W | |
| OS grid reference | SD 6498335017 |
| Location | Ribchester, Lancashire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | www.saintwilfrids.org.uk/ |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 11 November 1966 |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Preston |
| Archdeaconry | Lancaster |
| Diocese | Blackburn |
| Province | York |
St Wilfrid's Church is an Anglican church located in the village of Ribchester, Lancashire, England. It stands near the site of an old Roman fort. This church is an active parish church, meaning it serves the local community. It is part of the Diocese of Blackburn. The church is also recognized as a Grade I listed building, which means it's considered very important historically.
Contents
History of St Wilfrid's Church
St Wilfrid's Church has a long history, dating back to the 13th century. It was built close to where the Roman fort called Bremetennacum once stood.
How the Church Grew Over Time
In the 14th century, a small chapel and a porch were added to the church. Later, in the late 15th century, a tall tower was built on the west side. During the 16th century, the church's roofs were removed to make the walls of the chancel (the area around the altar) taller. New windows were also put into the aisle wall.
The church needed major repairs in 1685–86 and again in 1711. In 1736, a west gallery was added inside. The church had a big restoration in 1881. This work included rebuilding the north wall of the chancel.
Why St Wilfrid's is a Grade I Listed Building
In November 1966, St Wilfrid's Church was officially named a Grade I listed building. This special designation is given to buildings that are "of exceptional interest." Sometimes, these buildings are even seen as important worldwide.
Today, St Wilfrid's is still an active Anglican parish church. It belongs to the Diocese of Blackburn, which is part of the larger Church of England structure.
Architecture of the Church
St Wilfrid's Church is built from sandstone rubble, which are rough, uneven stones. Its roofs are made of stone slate.
Outside the Church
The church's layout includes a main area called the nave, a south aisle (a passage along the side), a chancel, a south porch, a north chapel, and a west tower. There is also a small room called a vestry on the north side of the chancel.
The tower has three levels and strong, angled buttresses (supports). The top of the tower has battlements, which look like the tops of old castles. It also has three-light belfry louvres, which are slatted openings for the bells.
Inside the Church
The nave, the main part of the church, is about 61 feet (18.6 meters) long and 24 feet (7.3 meters) wide. It has four bays, which are sections divided by columns. The south arcade (a row of arches) has pointed arches and octagonal (eight-sided) piers. The north arcade has two bays with similar arches.
There is an octagonal baptismal font made of sandstone. It might be from the 14th century and has a flat, painted wooden top. The pulpit, where sermons are given, is also octagonal and made of oak. It dates from 1636 and has a fancy design in the Jacobean style.
The north arcade leads into a chapel called the Dutton Quire. This chapel is about 34 feet (10.4 meters) long and 14 feet (4.3 meters) wide. Inside, you can find small pieces of a wall painting of Saint Christopher from the 14th or 15th century. The south aisle is about 10 feet 6 inches (3.2 meters) wide. At its east end, there's another area called the Hoghton Quire, separated by an oak screen that is probably from the 16th century.
The west gallery in the nave rests on four stone Tuscan columns. The chancel is about 40 feet (12.2 meters) long and 21 feet (6.4 meters) wide. Its floor is slightly lower than the nave floor. The north wall of the chancel has a special opening called a squint, which allows a view to the outside.
Churchyard Features
St Wilfrid's Church is surrounded by a churchyard on its north, south, and west sides. The two gates to the churchyard are on the south-east side. To the east of the church building, there is a rectory (the house for the church's priest), which was built in 1884.
In the churchyard, south-east of the chancel, there is a sundial. It might be from the 17th century. Its base is made of sandstone and has six square steps. A turned column stands on the steps, topped by a cyma moulded capital and an octagonal brass dial. This sundial has its own separate Grade II listing, meaning it's also historically important.
The oldest gravestone in the churchyard that has a date is from 1696. There is also a war grave for a soldier from the Loyal Regiment who died in World War I.
See also
- Grade I listed buildings in Lancashire
- Listed buildings in Ribchester
