Church of St Anne and St Elizabeth Hapton Road, Padiham
St Anne and St Elizabeth’s Church was constructed of local stone with a slate roof, and was situated to the south of the River Calder, originally within the township of Hapton. Its unusual dedication is believed to be in memory of Anne Elizabeth Horton, Major Starkie’s sister, who had died in 1869. Major Starkie of Huntroyd gave half an acre of land and the Starkie family gave the money for the first phase of construction (the chancel) of the proposed church). The foundation stone was laid in July 1874. Reports of the ceremony in the local press had suggested that the land and £1,000 had been donated by Major Starkie’s father; a week later correspondence from Major Starkie set out to correct the record. The inaugural services of St Ann and St Elizabeth’s church took place on 8th Jan 1881. The architect was Frederick Robinson of Derby, Stevens having died the previous year. Proposals to complete the church by the construction of the nave were finally abandoned in 1911 when the then adjacent primary school was extended across the site. The church finally closed in 2003 before it was sold and, more recently, converted into residential use.
FOUNDATION STONES OF A NEW CHURCH AND SCHOOLS - On Thursday afternoon the foundation stones of a new church and schools were laid with great ceremony at Hapton Green, Padiham, near Burnley. The church is dedicated to St Ann and St. Elizabeth, and will be erected by the Starkie family of Huntroyde Hall. Major Starkie. of Huntroyde Hall is the patron of the Padiham Church, and Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire Freemasons, and the stones were laid with full masonic honours. .... Major Starkie has given half an acre of freehold land on which the church will rest. The church is in reality a chancel which when the church is completed will be 150 feet long and will be in the Gothic style of architecture from designs by Messrs Stevens and Robinson, architects, Derby. The chancel arch will be formed so as to admit of its being opened at any future time. The contract let for the church, exclusive of the land amounts to £2,300. [Burnley Advertiser 18 July 1874]
FOUNDATION STONES OF A NEW CHURCH AND SCHOOLS* - The church is dedicated to St. Anne and St. Elizabeth, and the tenders for the erection amount to £2,300, exclusive of the land. The church, when completed will be 150 feet long, with accommodation for 250 people. The style is Gothic, the designs having been prepared by Messrs. Stevens and Robinson of Derby. The chancel arch will be formed so as to admit of its being opened at, any time. The principal contractors are Messrs. C. Anderton. John Thompson and Thomas Holland. [Burnley Gazette 18 July 1874]
To the Editor of the Burnley Advertiser, Sir - Will you oblige me by correcting certain statements in your paper, relative to the laying of the foundation stone of St Ann and St Elizabeth's Church at Hepton near Padiham. The facts are these: The late Mr Starkie, my father had intended to build a church at Hapton and to give the ground for a site of the same, but unfortunately his life was not spared to complete his intentions. I, wishing to carry out his designs, have given the land for the church and paid the money he had intended to give himself. The church will be built by myself and members of my family, but no money was left for either its endowment or its erection by my father. Yours etc. Le Gendre N Starkie, Major 5th RLM. Huntroyd, July 18th 1874. [Burnley Advertiser 26 July 1874]
*The schools, a short distance from the church, were built to the designs of John Thompson. These were to hold 400-500 children and were to be in plain style. Unlike the church, the schools were to be erected by public subscription.
* The dedication of the church is now generally given as St Anne and St Elizabeth, in memory of Ann or Anne Elizabeth Horton (nee Starkie). She was christened Ann but also used the alternative spelling during her lifetime.
