Church of St Michael and All Angels, Whalley New Road, Blackburn

ST. MICHAEL'S NEW PARISH CHURCH, BLACKBURN - LAYING OF THE CORNER STONE - On Saturday afternoon tba corner stone of the new Parish Church of St. Michael, Blackburn, was laid by W. H. Hornby, Esq., M.P. The movement for the erection of a church commenced five years ago, and after proceeding prosperously on the whole for about a year, the intense distress consequent on the cotton famine, with other concurrent circumstances, led to the delay of the project. Some £1,200 was raised in 1860, and the site having been determined upon, the foundations were laid in 1861, at a cost of £1,000. The matter then came to a standstill, and remained in abeyance till the spring of last year, when a bazaar was held, which augmented the funds to the extent of £800. The present site was presented by W. H. Hornby, Esq., M.P., many years ago, and was intended as a playground for the school, a garden in connection with the schoolmaster's house, etc. There was some difficulty however, in obtaining a site for the projected new church; and finally, the above ground was considered the best to be had, and was bought for the purpose. The edifice, which is now being built, will cost over £6,000. It will accommodate 800 worshippers—double that of the present church. The style is Early English, and the building promises to be an ornament to the locality in which it is most advantageously situated. Messrs Stevens and Robinson, Derby, are the architects, and Mr. Richard Hacking, Blackburn, the builder.  [Preston Chronicle 13 January 1866 page 3]

CONSECRATION OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH BY THE BISHOP OF MANCHESTER - On Thursday morning the consecration of the new Parish Church of St. Michael's, by the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, took place in the presence of a large and influential congregation. The new church is situated at Brookhouse, near to the extensive mills of Messrs. Wm. Hy. Hornby Co., and in the midst of a densely populated and rapidly increasing neighbourhood.  For many years the want of adequate church accommodation in the neighbourhood has been keenly felt, and it is with feelings of great gratification that we record the completion of an undertaking which has been both fraught with much Labour and anxiety to those immediately concerned. Several years have now elapsed since the project was first mooted, and indeed since actual building operations commenced, but owing to the distressing panic which raged over Lancashire during the years 1863 and 1864, the work had to be deferred to a more convenient and prosperous season. …  On the 6th of January, 1866, the corner stone of the present edifice was laid by Mr. Wm. H. Hornby, M.P.,

The church is erected from designs prepared by Messrs. Stevens and Robinson, architects, Derby, and externally presents a noble appearance, being built of dressed stone and enclosed within palisades inserted in stone work rising from the base. The building is in the English Gothic style of architecture, which flourished in the 13th century. It is lighted with two and three-light tracery windows in the aisles, a beautiful five light window in the chancel, a rose window in the western end, and several large size trefoil windows in the clerestory. The foundations rise 28 feet above the level of the river which forms the boundary of the church, and the plan of the interior consists of nave, with north and south aisles, divided from it by arcades of five arches, and together measuring 72 feet by 51 feet. The chancel is 32 feet by 22 feet, and the floor is laid with Minton encaustic tiles. On the north side of the chancel is an organ aisle and vestry, 26 feet by 13 feet. The main entrances are through the porch on the south side of the church, and another through the tower. There is also an entrance for the clergy into the vestry. The tower, which, when completed, will be 70 feet high, is situate at the south-east angle of the arches, opening one into the chancel and into the south aisle, and is arranged as a baptistry. The woodwork of the roof and seats throughout is of pine, stained and varnished; and the height of the nave from the floor to the apex of the roof is 50 feet, and the chancel is raised six feet from the floor of the church, and is approached by two steps. The church is lighted in the evening by brackets depending at intervals from the roof, and the chancel is lighted by four brass standards. The reredos is entirely plain. The pews are of the most modern constructions being open throughout the church. The pulpit, which has been kindly presented by Mrs. Astley, wife of Mr. Councillor Astley, is a very neat one, and is made of Caen stone, supported on marble pillars. The building is warmed throughout by hot-water pipes. In the tower is a small stained-glass window, by Clayton and Bell, of London, presented by Mr. Robinson, the architect. The stone work of the church has been done by Mr. Richard Hacking, the joinery (which is of the best description, both as regards material and workmanship) was entrusted to Mr. J. Wolstenhome (of Eanam), and the painting and varnishing by Mr. Cunliffe. [Blackburn Standard 3 February 1869]

BLACKBURN - On Thursday week the new church of St. Michael and All Angels, Brookhouse, Lancashire, was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester. The plan of the new building comprises a nave, with north and south aisles, divided from it by arcades of five arches, and together measuring 72 feet by 51 feet; a chancel, 32 feet by 22 feet; and an organ aisle and vestry on the north side of chancel, 20ft. by 13ft. There is a tower at the south-east angle, with arches opening, one into the chancel, and one into the south aisle, which has been arranged as a baptistry. The tower, 70 feet. high, is eventually to be surmounted by a spire 76ft. high. At the west side there is a small gallery for children. The roof and seats are of deal, stained and varnished. The height from the floor to the apex of the nave roof is 60 feet, and to the apex of the chancel roof, 44 feet. The foundations throughout have been built with the plinth moulding, and, owing to the rapid slope of the ground on the north side, are seen rising 2Sft. above the level of the river, which forms the boundary of the churchyard. The material used is stone, and the style adopted is thirteenth century English Gothic. 800 sittings are provided. Messrs Stevens and Robinson, of Derby, are the architects, and Mr. Hacking, of Blackburn, was the contractor. [Building News 5 February 1869 page 122]

Reference        Building News 26 April 1861 page 361 - contracts
Reference        Blackburn Standard 10 January 1866 page 3 – foundation stone
Reference        Manchester Courier 8 January 1866 page 3 – foundation stone
Reference        Preston Herald 13 January 1866 page 4 - foundation stone
Reference        Preston Chronicle 3 January 1866 page 3 – foundation stone
Reference        Blackburn Standard 3 February 1869 page - consecration
Reference        Building News 5 February 1869 page 122]
Reference        Pevsner North Lancashire 1969