All Saints (Rushton Memorial) Church, Bolton Road, Nova Scotia, Blackburn

•  Foundation    8 October 1870 by Mrs R H Hutchinson
•  Consecration    25 April 1872 by the Bishop of Manchester

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ALL SAINTS (RUSHTON MEMORIALL CHURCH) NOVA SCOTIA – The foundation stone of this church was laid on Saturday last. …. The memorial church is in Bolton Road, Nova Scotia, one of the most densely populated districts in Blackburn. The church will afford accommodation for 685 adults and 195 children. It will be built  of stone, the style of architecture being Gothic, and will consist of a nave, chancel, north aisle and north chancel aisle, with an organ transept on the south side. There will be porches on the north and south side of the building. Room is left on the site for the erection of a tower and spire at some future time. For the present there will be a bell turret eight feet high. The seats are to be of varnished deal. Th estimated cost of the church is £4,200. The architects are Messrs Stevens and Robinson, of Derby, the latter being the son of Dixon Robinson Esq, of Clitheroe Castle. Mr Richard Hacking, of Blackburn, is the contractor. {Preston Herald 12 October 1870 page 4]

THE CONSECRATION OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH, BLACKBURN - The consecration of All Saints (Rushton Memorial) church took place on Thursday by the Bishop of Manchester. The architecture of the new structure is mixed Gothic of the style flourishing about the thirteenth century. It is built of Yorkshire parpoint stone, with Longridge dressings. The exterior dimensions are 114 feet long by 60 feet broad; height 21 feet to the square and 45 feet to the apex of the roof. The chancel or east end abuts upon Bolton Road, and it is ornamented with a fine Gothic tracery window. At some future time, it is in contemplation to place in it stained glass windows. A small ornamental turret has already been erected on the east wing of the building, 75 feet high, and the plan provides for the erection of a large tower and spire on the north. All the windows are open tracery, and are glazed with tinted (cathedral style) glass. One of the main entrances is on the north, facing the open road, and the other main entrance porch will be opposite the intended new schools, the foundation stone of which has already been laid. There is a doorway under the small turret giving access to the vestry and to the chancel seats. The interior of the sacred edifice consists of nave, north aisle, chancel, and chancel aisle: an organ chamber being constructed on the south side of the chancel. Galleries are dispensed with, and the roof between the nave and the chancel is supported by ornamental iron columns. The roofs are open, constructed of finely-wrought pitch pine. Seats are open benches in the modern style, accommodation being provided for say 800 persons. Four hundred sittings are free. The siles and chancel are so spacious that upon an extraordinary occasion 1,000 persons could be accommodated, and a number of chairs have been purchased with the view of accommodating any necessity that might arise. The chancel (interior) measures 30 feet by 29 feet, and the floor is worked in beautiful mosaic, the artist being Mr Minton. The floor under the seats is boarded, and the aisles are flagged with Yorkshire polished flags, placed at the north east corner of the nave is the pulpit, of elaborately carved English oak. It is the gift of the family of the late vicar of Blackburn (Dr Rushton). In close proximity are two reading desks and a small lectern for reading the lessons. The Rushton family have generously provided the communion table and chairs; the reredos, which is not yet fixed, but which we understand is a handsome Gothic design in carved oak, and the font which is located near the south entrance. The church is provided with heating apparatus fitted up by Messrs Mercer and Thompson. The pipes running along the aisles are laid in iron troughs covered with grating; and the tubular boiler, being the source of the hot water supply, is fixed below the basement on the north west of the edifice. The ventilation is on the most approved principle. All the woodwork is of the best pitch pine, possessing a distinct fine grain. |The structure has been well and substantially built, all the minor details being attended to; and the fittings too are of excellent material, executed in a workmanlike manner. The contractor was Mr Hacking; Mr Jas Wolstenholme received the commission for joiners’ work, the flagging and slating was entrusted to Mr Thomas Fletcher, the plastering to Mr J Archibald, the decorative department to Mr W H Cunliffe, and the plumbing and glazing to Mr Walsh. The total cost will be over £5,000. The land whereon to erect this church was given by the Church Commissioners. [Preston Herald 27 April 1872 page 3]

Reference        Preston Herald 12 October 1870 page 4
Reference        Preston Herald 27 April 1872 page 3
Reference        William Alexander Abram: A History of Blackburn Town and Parish page 276