Blackburn Road Congregational Church Bolton

The gift of W H Lever and his brother, as a token of gratitude for the inspiration and example of their parents. Daughter church of St George's Road Congregational church where James Lever, the father, had been chairman and a patron. Known as the Iron Church because of its temporary predecessor. Impressive south-west spire of Northamptonshire character and with attractive close grouping with manse. Earlier design placed the spire in the centre of the w end. Fully church form with aisles, clerestory, chancel and polygonal apse. Ashlar inside and out. Neo perp with a tendency to Arts and Crafts detail in its stylised carving particularly inside, eg symbols of the Passion on piers and roof corbels. There is though, a mid- rather than a late-Victorian feel, probably resulting from the vertical emphasis and lack of external modelling. Stained glass in memory of Eliza Lever, W H Lever's mother, 1893 by Henry Holiday and south transept Walter J Pearce, 1928, ie after Lever's death. Following some twenty years in use as antiques centre the church is again awaiting a new use.[Victorian Society Notes 2006]

Archive                 Bolton Archive  ZHCA/27  1895 - 57 Drawings