St. Chad, Chorley

Introduction

Saint Chad's Church in Chorley began as a chapel of 1791 designed by John Ashton.

History

The first church dedicated to St Chad was built on the present site in 1791. The sanctuary was extended in 1888, replacing the earlier apsidal structure. The church was altered internally after severe fire damage in 1959.

The fire was fought by six fire engines from Chorley, Leyland and Bamber Bridge plus a turntable escape from Preston. The fire destroyed the choir loft, organ, choir stalls and staircase. The roof was almost completely destroyed by the fire and firefighting. Our Lady's altar, Stations of the Cross, carved stone font and statues of St Chad and Blessed Edmund Arrowsmith survived the fire with little damage.

In the year before the fire, 16 stained glass windows had been installed, the last two completed 36 hours before the fire. In the baptistery is an embroidered sampler dated 1846 showing 'Southill Chapel' at that date. Archbishop J C Heenan visited the church after the fire and expressed the opinion that the school be used for Sunday services.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is built of coursed sandstone with stone quoins and dressings, and a slate roof with stone gable copings. The tower has round-headed openings in Italianate style with a belfry and low-pitched pyramidal roof. The interior retains transept arcades of three rounded arches with hoodmoulds supported by polished columns with octagonal caps. The church has a cruciform plan with a nave added in 1896 to the south side of the original chapel, which now forms wide transepts, with chancel on the north side.

Music and liturgy

New choir members of all ages are welcome without formalities or auditions, and can join by going up into the choir loft. Children's Catechesis, called Little Church, runs most Sundays through the year and brings the Liturgy to young children who have not yet made their First Holy Communion. During Children's Catechesis the children listen to a short Gospel reading and take part in prayers and activities such as singing and acting out the Gospel story.

Parish life

A team of ladies provides floral arrangements throughout the year except during Lent and Advent, taking turns monthly to buy, arrange and care for the flowers. Volunteers regularly clean the church and Sacristy, including washing and ironing altar cloths and keeping holy water containers ready. Chorley Justice & Peace Group invites parishioners from all the Catholic Parishes in the Chorley Pastoral Area to join in supporting its work.

St Chad's is served by two schools: St Chad's Primary School, adjacent to the church, and Holy Cross High School in Chorley. Next to the church is St Chad's Parish Centre, a licensed facility available for weddings, family parties, baptism celebrations, funerals and other occasions, open to anyone. The Club, later called the Parish Centre, hosted Bingo nights, Hot Pot Suppers, Snooker and Crown Green Bowling events during the fundraising after the fire.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Holy Communion for the sick and housebound is available by contacting the parish priest. Pastoral care of patients in Chorley Hospital is undertaken by the Parish Priest of St Joseph's, Harpers Lane, Chorley. Pastoral care of patients in Preston Hospital is undertaken by a team of volunteers.