St. Lewis, Croft

Introduction

Saint Lewis, Croft, in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, was opened in 1827, two years before the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829.

History

Father Louis served St Lewis' until his death in 1845, after which the parish was served by Jesuits for ten years. Since 1855, diocesan clergy have served the parish.

Architecture and furnishings

The church is a brown brick building with a slate roof, rectangular with gable pediment and 3 window bays. The church has a pedimented gable portico with Delian Order caps to columns and pilasters. The interior has elaborate fluted Corinthian giant pilasters flanking the apsidal sanctuary. There are good carved hardwood stations of the cross.

The entrance is a recessed engaged fluted Doric column doorcase with fluted transome and radial bar fanlight holding a pair of 3 panel doors with raised and fielded panels. Gable windows are recessed with stone sills and flat skewback arches, those at ground floor built-up whereas upper windows are metal with leaded lights and some stained glass. The large metal windows to north and south have semicircular heads, leaded lights and stained glass motifs in upper sections. The flat plastered ceiling has coved and bracketted cornice and a large ceiling rose with fret and acanthus decorations.

The statue of Our Lady has been renovated and occupies a plinth overlooking the cemetery. A Priests' plaque has been placed next to the Lady Altar in St Lewis'. The church has a new credence table, thanks to an anonymous donation.

Parish life

The parish of St Lewis, Croft has an active SVP conference which can help local people facing various difficulties including financial worries, loneliness or health related problems. The parish is affiliated to the parish of St Catherine of Siena and All Saints. The parish is engaged with the Archdiocese over the Parish Development Strategy which is to be rolled out across every deanery. The parish includes Holcroft Grange, High Peak Nursing Home and HM Prison Risley.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Parents of children at non-Catholic schools must contact the parish office in early September to include their child in the sacramental preparation. For a child's baptism at St Lewis, at least one parent must be Roman Catholic. For a child's baptism at St Lewis, the family must live within the traditional boundaries of the parish.