Lychgate: St David’s Church, Haigh, Wigan

The original church building was designed by Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson between 1830 and 1833. It was a Commissioners’ Church. The East end was extended in 1886 by J Medland Taylor who, according to Pevsner, probably also constructed the West gallery.

The substantial Longridge stone lychgate was constructed in 1909 as a memorial to one of the parishioners, Henry Rawcliffe. Pevsner describes it as having “scary winged beasts bursting from the corners of the eaves” but does not give the architect. However, the Wigan Observer of 25 September 1909, in a full report of the dedication ceremony, names Isaac Taylor as the architect and Leonard Fairclough of Chorley and Adlington as the general contractor. The stone carvings were by Messrs Earp, Hobbs and Miller of Manchester, and the gates and bronze panel by George Wragge, also of Manchester. There is a carved legend above each archway: “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him” and “What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter”. The George Wragge bronze panel, situated beneath one of the windows, reads: “To the Glory of God and in affectionate memory of Henry Rawcliffe who departed this life Nov 1st 1907 aged 82 years. This lychgate was erected by his son. A.W.R.” [RF].

Reference           Wigan Observer and District Advertiser, Saturday 25 September, 1909