Church of St John Stonefold, Blackburn Road, Rising Bridge, Haslingden

Yesterday Dr Moorhouse, the Bishop of Manchester, consecrated the Church of St John at Stonefold, an outlying district of the parish of Haslingden. The foundation stone of the church was laid by the late Bishop Fraser. The edifice has been erected at the sole cost of Miss Martha Turner of Haslingden, from designs prepared by Mr Basil Champneys, architect, of London. The site on which it stands, together with the graveyard, covers an area of 4,000 square yards, and is the gift of Mr H W Taylor of Whalley. The church is of stone, of plain exterior and interior, but is substantially built and comfortably fitted. Sitting accommodation is provided for 342 worshippers, all free and unappropriated. The cost of erection amounts to about £3,350. [Manchester Guardian 22 May 1886 page 5]

Foundation Stone laid 13 September 1884; Consecration 21 May 1886; Closed 30 September 2001 and sold in 2003.

Reference        Manchester Guardian 22 May 1886 page 5 - consecration

At the time of construction the Rev Weldon Champneys and Basil's older brother, was the vicar of Haslingden and rural dean.