St Stephen’s Mission Church, Bispham

ST. STEPHENS MISSION CHURCH. GYNN ESTATE. BISPHAM-WITH-NORBRECK. Persons desirous of submitting TENDERS for the Erection of the Proposed St Stephen's Mission Church in King's Walk must send their names on or before the 12th inst. to the Architect. ARTHUR HINDLE A.M.Inst. C.E. M.S.A. 46 Abingdon Street Blackpool. [Blackpool Gazette & Herald - Friday 9 June 1911 page 4]

The foundation stone of the new mission church was laid on Saturday 5 August 1911, the inscription on the copper plate placed between the stones recording: "This foundation stone was laid with masonic ceremonial by the Hon. Arthur Stanley, M.V.O., M.P., R.W., Prov. Grand Master of West Lancs. August 5th, 1911. Rev. Geo. Leighton M.A. Vicar and Rural Dean; Arthur Hindle, A.M.Inst. C.E., M.S.A., Architect." The Church is being erected on the easterly portion of a plot of land of about 3,776 square yards, situate at the corner of Holmcliffe Road and Kings-walk, on the Gynn estate. When the whole scheme is completed, the building now being erected will be utilised for school purposes. There will be seating accommodation for 300 persons. as well as two vestries and a chancel.  The building will be faced with Ruabon wire-cut narrow bricks, with grey terra cotta dressings, and slated with Welsh slates. The furnishings will be in pitch-pine, and the estimated cost is about £2,000. The contractors are Messrs. R. Leach and Son. of Cleveleys. and the architect is Mr. Arthur Hindle C.E., M.S.A., Blackpool. [Blackpool Gazette & Herald - Tuesday 8 August 1911 page 5]

“CHURCH ON THE CLIFF,” THE OPENING CEREMONY AT BISPHAM. In the presence of a large gathering, on Saturday, the opening ceremony was performed of St. Stephen's Church, Bispham. The rapid increase in the population of the district has rendered the need for additional accommodation most pressing, and the mission church, at a cost of £2,000, is part of a scheme which is to include the building of a church and schools to cost £10,000. St. Stephen's, which is known as the "Church on The Cliff," is a handsome building, designed by Mr. Arthur Hindle, of Blackpool, the builders being Messrs. R. Leach and Sons, Cleveleys. The exterior is of red brick, with terra cotta ornamentation. The interior consists of a large hall—capable of seating 350—a chancel with choir stalls, pulpit, organ, etc., with retiring rooms on each side. The woodwork is pitch-pine, with plaster walls and ceiling. The east end has a three-light window, in the centre of which are the arms of the See of Manchester, and on either side the arms of Lichfield and Chester. The west window has two central lights, having the arms of the Province of York and Canterbury. and St. George of England. The heating is by low pressure hot water pipes, and the electric light has been. installed. Last July the Bishop of Manchester appointed the Rev. F. B. Freshwater in charge, by whom the building has been supervised. The opening ceremony was performed by the Rev. Geo. Leighton M.A.. vicar of Bispham and Rural Dean of the Fylde. [Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 25 March 1912 page 4]

Reference    Blackpool Gazette & Herald - Friday 9 June 1911 page 4 - contracts
Reference    Blackpool Gazette & Herald - Tuesday 8 August 1911 page 5
Reference    Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 25 March 1912 page 4 - opening