Church of St Leonard Padiham

A large town church in the middle of the little town. Perpendicular style with a south tower

The foundation stone of a new church has been laid at Padiham. The new edifice is to be built on the site of the old parish church. Mr William Waddington of Padiham is the architect [Builder 14 July 1866 Page 530]

The new church of St. Leonard, Padiham, Lancashire, was opened on Thursday week. The edifice occupies the site of the old church, which having been found too small and inconvenient, and in many parts in an unsafe condition, was taken down about three years ago. The new building comprises nave, chancel, transepts, nave, aisles, chancel aisles, tower, and vestry. The style is that of the early part of the fifteenth century. The tower rises 115 feet to the top of the pinnacles, and has eight belfry windows, with traceried heads, surmounted by a bold cornice, with panelled embattlements. Internally the church is faced with stone in courses, all the woodwork (with the exception of the roof, which is stained) being varnished. The church is lighted after dark by means of corona of polished brass, suspended from the nave and arches, executed by Messrs. Thomason, of Manchester. The hot water apparatus was supplied by Messrs Bacon, of London, and the reredos and carving were executed by Messrs Williams, of Manchester. The font is of the sixteenth century, removed from the old church. The church will seal 1,000 persons, and the cost has been £8,000. The architect is Mr. William Waddington, of Burnley and Padiham. [Building News February 5 1869 page 122]

A New Church has just been completed at Padiham, Lancashire, from the designs of Mr. Wm. Waddington, architect, of Padiham and Burnley. It is designed in the style of the early part of the fifteenth century, and has a lofty tower, containing a peal of six bells. The work has been carried out by local contractors; it will accommodate 1,000 persons, and has cost about 8,000.  [Architect and Building News 6 February 1869 page 83]

The Parish Church of Padiham, Lancashire, has been rebuilt to twice its original dimensions, and at a cost of nearly £9,000 under the direction of Mr. Waddington, architect. The new church is built in the style which prevailed in the early part of the fifteenth century, and stands upon the site of the old edifice. The tower is situated at the south-west angle, and forms an imposing feature in the design, rising to the height of 115 feet, finished with panelled battlements and eight crocketed pinnacles. Some relics of the old church have been preserved, the most precious of which is the ancient and beautiful carved stone font, the gift of Abbot I’aslew to Padiham Chantry in the sixteenth century. Two stained glass windows from the old church have been remodelled and inserted in more becoming positions; whilst the new church has been enriched by the gift of six other handsome painted windows, one of which is manufactured by Mr. Edmondson of Manchester, and the remainder by Mr. Wailes of Newcastle. The greater portion of the carving in the interior of the church was executed at the expense of the architect, who is a native of the parish. [The Architect 13 February 1869. page 93- 94]

Reference    Builder 14 July 1866 Page 530
Reference    Builder 4 August 1866 Page 586 with more extensive notes
Reference    Builder 13 February 1869. Page 131
Reference    Building News February 5 1869 page 122
Reference    Architect and Building News 6 February 1869 page 83]
Reference    The Architect 13 February 1869 page 93- 94
Reference    Pevsner North Lancashire Page 186-187