Churton Memorial Drinking Fountain, Brownlow Street, Whitchurch

WHITCHURCH - A drinking-fountain, erected at a cost of £500 by Mr. John Churton, J.P., of Morannedd, Rhyl, in memory of his parents, was formally presented to the inhabitants of Whitchurch the other day. It is designed in the Early Gothic style, the lower portion being executed in red and grey Peterhead granite, the upper part in Manley stone with bands of red Runcorn. In the lower portion are two ample cattle-troughs, and on the north and south faces basins supplied with water through bronze lions' heads, each basin being provided with suitable drinking-cups. Above is a sculptured bas-relief of the Woman of Samaria at the Well, after a painting by Annibal Caracci. Above are traceried gables of Geometrical design, the gables crocketed and terminating with carved finials; these gables are flanked with octagonal pillars, having moulded caps and bases; on them are placed globe lamps. The total height is 26ft., and the cost about £500. The work has been designed by Mr. John Douglas, of Chester, and executed by Mr. Thomas Hughes, of Aldford, near Chester. [Building News 20 April 1883 page 531] 

A memorial drinking-fountain was unveiled at Whitchurch, Salop, on Tuesday. It is Early English in style, and is constructed of Peterhead granite, and Manley stone. At the base is a sculptured bas-relief of the Woman of Samaria at the Well. The memorial has been carried out from the designs of Mr. John Douglas of Chester, at a cost of about £500. [Building News April 1883 page 456]

FOUNTAIN AT WHITCHURCH - The second fountain we illustrate this week has been erected at Whitchurch, Salop, by Mr. John Churton, J.P., of Rhyl, in memory of his parents, and as "a memorial of his affection and undying interest in the welfare of his native town.” Red and grey Peterhead granite is the material used in the lower part, and for the upper Manley stone banded with red Runcorn. Drinking accommodation for man and beast is amply provided for, the water being supplied through lions' heads in bronze. Around the upper part of the granite work is cut a scriptural text, and above this there is a sculptured bas-relief of the woman of Samaria at the well, after a painting by Annibal Caracci. At each side, at the top of octagonal pillars, are two lamps for gas. The total height to the apex of the spirelet in which the structure terminates is 26 feet; the work having been carried out from Mr. Douglas' designs by Mr. Thomas Hughes, of Aldford, near Chester, at a total cost of £500. [British Architect vol 20 23 November 1883 page 242]

PRESENTATION of a FOUNTAIN to the TOWN of WHITCHURCH. On Tuesday last (3 April 1883) a public fountain which has for some time been in course of erection and is the gift of Mr J. Churton to Whitchurch, was publicly presented to that town by Mr W. H. Churton, of Chester, his nephew, acting on bis behalf.  The fountain is situated at the top of Green End, in the centre of the junction of five roads. The structure is designed in the early Gothic style, the lower portion being executed in red and grey Peterhead granite, the upper part in Manley stone with bands of red Runcorn. In the lower portion are two ample cattle troughs, and on the north and south faces basins supplied with water through bronze lions' heads, each basin being provided with suitable drinking cups. Around the upper part of the granite work the following inscription is out in legible letters: — "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: hut whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." Above this is a sculptured bas-relief of the " Woman of Samaria at the Well," after a painting by Annibal Carracci; this bas-relief is placed on the north or town side of the fountain. On the opposite side is a panel of similar size, on which is out the following: — THIS FOUNTAIN WAS ERECTED BT JOHN CHURTON, J. P., of Morannedd, Rhyl, IN LOVING MEMORY OF HIS PARENTS, WILLIAM AND ANNE CHURTON, And as a Memorial of his Affection and enduring Interest in the welfare of his native Town, 1882. Above these panels are traceried gables of geometrical design, the date and the monogram " J.C." being introduced in the tracery. The gables are crocketed and terminate with carved finials. These gables are flanked with octagonal pillars, having moulded caps and bases. On them are placed globe lamps, each lamp being provided with two. of Sugg's patent burners. Rising above the gables the upper part is octagonal on plan; each face is panelled and gabled, and the whole is finished as a spirelet with crockets on the angles and terminating with carved finial and handsome gun metal cross. Arrangement has been made for access to the pipes, and also for turning on and off the water and gas at discretion. The total height is 26 feet, and the cost about £500. The work has been designed by Mr John Douglas, of Chester, and executed by Mr Thomas Hughes, of Aldford, near Chester. [Chester Observer 7 April 1883 page 6]

The fountain originally stood at the junction of five roads - Green End, Brownlow Street, Talbot Street and Station Road, but when the by-pass was built in 1924 it became a hindrance to traffic, and was transferred to its present site in Brownlow Street in the mid-1930's.

Reference    Building News April 1883 page 456
Reference    Building News 20 April 1883 page 531
Reference    British Architect vol 20 23 November 1883 page 242 and illustration
Reference    Chester Observer 7 April 1883 page 6
Reference    Shropshire, The Buildings of England, page 692