A history of St. Wilfrid's Parish Church

From Standish Wiki

An extract from "Guide to the Parish Church of St. Wilfrid".

The beauty and charm of Standish Church is due to its dignified proportions, the light and lofty clerestory and the successful blending of the late Gothic and Renaissance styles at its rebuilding during the years 1582 - 1589. Since that time, the building has providentially escaped the alterations and restorations which have spoiled so many ancient buildings and it remains one of the most interesting in Lancashire.

Origins

The church is first mentioned in 1205 but the vast extent of the ancient parish with its eleven townships (Adlington, Anderton, Charnock Richard, Coppull, Duxbury, Heath Charnock, Langtree, Shevington, Standish, Welch Whittle and Worthington) points to a very early foundation. It was originally in the Lichfield Diocese becoming part of the Chester Diocese when this was formed in 1541. It became part of the Manchester Diocese when this was founded in 1845 and finally part of the Blackburn Diocese when this was created in 1926 (The Blackburn Diocese will be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2001).

Standish Church

The church was rebuilt of local gritstone in the 16th. century and the large blocks of red sandstone, in the north-east corner, are relics of the older building. The old tower with its impressive spire above it had been left untouched at the rebuilding but this spire was unfortunately damaged by lightning in 1814 and again by storm in 1822. Forty-five years later the spire and the tower below were removed and then rebuilt.

Standish Church has always been noted for its fine bells and good ringers. As early as 1552 there were 'three great bells and three sacring bells'. In 1913 a ring of eight bells was dedicated and in the same year, hour and quarter chimes were added to the clock.

The ceiling is one of the finest examples of its period in the country. It has a design of squares and saltires. The beams are ornamented by the initials of donors, crests, etc., some only visible in strong sunlight. In the last 50 years the roof has had extensive (and expensive!) repairs due to damage by death-watch beetle and water damage caused by deterioration of the lead sheet covering.

The church has undergone substantial re-ordering from time to time. Most recently, in 1971, a new organ was placed at the west end, where it was originally, together with the choir stalls. The altar was placed in the centre of the Chancel, and the screens opened to comply with modern liturgical requirements.

In 1913 Vestries for the choir and clergy were added at the east end of the building. The most noticeable feature of them is the roof which reproduces the style and pattern of the roof to the church.

Rectors

The first known Rector was Alexander de Standish, 1206; though there may have been Rectors before that date. In total there have been only forty-two Rectors in almost eight hundred years (and just nine of those were in the 225 years from 1779).

Here is a list of Rectors (i = institution date, f = first mentioned (institution date not known), r = reinstated):