Church of St James, Slater Lane, Leyland, near Preston
TO BUILDERS- — persons desirous of giving TENDERS for ERECTION of a NEW CHURCH in the parish of Leyland, near Preston, Lancashire, are informed that the drawings and specification be seen on and after Wednesday, February 1st at the office of Mr. MORRELL, Clough House, Leyland, and that all necessary further information may be obtained at the office of the architect, Mr. Christian, 10, Whitehall Place, London, to whom tenders are to be sent on or before February 22nd, The parties do not bind themselves to accept the lowest tender. [Manchester Guardian 4 February1854 Page 11]
The church has a genteel regular shape; it is not massive, but it is pleasing in outline, and has a stately high-reaching spire which can be seen for miles on all sides. There is something elegantly tasteful. Quietly beautiful about the spire which has always been admired. Probably the flatness of the surrounding land gives it a significance which a more varied locality would tone down. This church, which is about a mile and three-quarters west of the village of Leyland, was erected at the expense of the late Mrs Farington, of Worden Hall, was consecrated in 1855, and in respect to patronage, is “in the gift” of the Farington family. Ewan Christian Esq. was the architect of it. The district is known as Leyland Moss – a flat, pastoral, peaty, moderately civilised part of the country. The architecture of the church is in the Early English style, and in both outline and detail it is strikingly regular. The slates are somewhat cross-grained and fantastic, but they keep the rain out well, and that is sufficient. The church will hold about 500 people, and its average attendance may be put down as 360, a commendable number given that many have to traverse long distances to reach it. The church consists of a nave, two side aisles and a large chancel. The nave is supported by heavy columns from which spring pointed arches. The pews are long, small in altitude and closed by tiny doors. A massive octagonally-shaped font, excellent in workmanship, stands not far from and nearly opposite the door. In the centre and at the front of the chancel there is a beautiful recumbent figure in Carrara marble. The figure is a striking likeness of the foundress of the church – the late Mrs Farington – and was made by J Hutchinson Esq of Edinburgh. The principal chancel window is large but very heavy and defective in detail. It contains three lights, and the glass is prettily coloured, but the ponderous character of the masonry deprives it of the effect which it would have if its surroundings were more ornate and tasteful. At the base of the window are the words “To the memory of the parents and only brother of Sarah Esther Farrington,” and below them are the names John Touchet, Sarah Touchet and James Touchet. The chancel is flanked by one or two rows of seats, those on the southern side being set apart for the Farington family. [Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser 225 February 1871 page 6]
About a quarter of a mile north-west of the church is the school of the parish – a good-sized, neatly made building with an average attendance on week-days of 80 children, and on Sundays of 200. A stone tablet over the door bears the inscription “Leyland Moss Side School. Founded as a day school 1770 by Samuel Crook. Re-built and enlarged as a Sunday school attached to St James’s Church 1856 by S M Farington. [Preston Chronicle and Lancashire Advertiser 225 February 1871 page 6]