St Wilfrid, Longridge

Introduction

St Wilfrid in Longridge was opened by the Bishop of Salford in July 1886. The church's tower and spire, added in the early twentieth century, contribute to the townscape.

History

A school-chapel was built in Pitt Street in 1867-9. In 1871 the Rev. (Dr) Charles Boardman SJ was put in charge of the mission. In 1878 plans were prepared by William Withnell for a new church accommodating 500 people. On 15 February 1908 Bishop Casartelli laid the foundation stone for the tower and spire.

In 1976 the altar was separated from the reredos to allow for westward-facing celebration of the Mass. In 1986, the font was moved from the baptistery to the sanctuary area.

Architecture and furnishings

The church comprises a nave with clearstorey, lower chancel at the west end with polygonal apse, east porch and north-east tower. The tower has an octagonal stone spire, angle buttresses, 2 lancet bell openings on each face, lancet windows, and a moulded doorway in the north wall. The interior has 7-bay arcades with round columns and 2-centred arches, and an open timber roof with arch-braced collars.

Two bells were cast by Taylor’s of Loughborough, and the tower clock was made by Smith & Son of Derby. In 1920 a white marble war memorial was unveiled outside the church, sculpted by Messrs Albertini and built by W. Almond. The war memorial is a First World War memorial of 1920 with Second World War additions. The war memorial measures approximately 3.2m high and stands on a low rectangular sandstone plinth.

The church is a Gothic Revival town church of the 1880s, designed by a little-known Preston architect. The building is constructed of snecked sandstone rubble with a slate roof. The aisle windows are chamfered lancets, the clearstorey windows have plate tracery, and the west and apse windows have geometric tracery. HCC approval was given in 2007 for the removal of that statue and its replacement with a new carved stone statue.

Parish life

Children normally begin preparing for their first Holy Communion in Year 3 or later, through a parish and school based programme in which children and parents or carers work together. Parents of children at St Wilfrid’s Primary School and St Mary’s Chipping receive an invitation to enrol their children in the programme. The preparation sessions are held at St Wilfrid’s Longridge and St Mary’s Chipping at the end of the school day, so that Catholic children who do not attend those schools can also take part.

The Diocese of Salford expects parents and children to attend Mass on Sunday morning or Saturday evening for at least six weeks before arrangements are made for a child’s Baptism. Families are also asked to attend a Baptism Preparation half-day retreat. The church is described on the Historic England website.

Sacraments and pastoral care

Baptism is normally celebrated on Sunday, the Lord’s Day. Couples must give at least 6 months’ notice of their intention to marry, and one or both should be a baptised Catholic and resident in the parish or attending Mass there regularly. Couples must visit the Register Office to give notification of their intention to marry, which can be done up to 12 months prior but no later than 28 days before the wedding. The parish has its own Authorised Person, who witnesses the marriage for civil purposes.