Wignall Memorial Church, Thornton

METHODISM AT THORNTON. FOUNDATION STONE LAYING OF HANDSOME NEW CHURCH - The church is Early Gothic in style, having a tower with spire rising 85 feet above the road. This will be a prominent landmark for miles around. By tower and side porch entrances you enter by means of vestibule doors into the narthex, thereby ensuring freedom from draughts. The body of the church consists of nave, 61ft. by 24ft., with transepts 24t. by 15ft., giving comfortable seating for 400 persons, but capable of accommodating 500 for special purposes. One transept can be cut off from the nave by means of moveable screens and used as a lecture room. This will form a very valuable adjunct to a seaside place of worship, where the winter and summer congregations vary in number. Choir with choir stalls and communion beyond, having organ chamber and choir vestry on either side, complete an interesting interior. The transepts, choir (seating 20). organ chamber, also communion, have interior arcading, the arches, pillars, and dressings being in Bath stone. The nave floor slopes from narthex to line of transepts. The carved oak pulpit is placed on one side of the choir, opening in such a manner that the preacher can be seen from all parts. A choir and minister’s vestry and church parlour, with lavatory accommodation, complete the plan. 'The building is being built with flat-faced Yorkshire parpoints, red stone dressings including tracery to all windows, which are filled with ornamental lead lights, open timbered roof with red tile covering, choir, communion and entrance floors will be tiled. Cavity walls and other matters have received special care to provide a building suitable for the exposed nature of the coast. The architects are Messrs. Potts, Son and Hennings, F.R.1.8.A., Blackpool, Bolton, and Manchester. The builders are: General contractors, Messrs. Halstead Bros., Todmorden: sub-contractors, Messrs. Cox and Gregg (Fleetwood), Robt. McClorry (Blackpool), Woods and Jackson (Fleetwood), Thos. Shuttleworth (Blackpool). The low-pressure heating is by Mr. Robert Walsh, Bolton. Acetylene gas will be adopted as the means of lighting. [Blackpool Times and Fleetwood Observer Wednesday 8 Jube 1904 page 7]

Built at the expense of Mrs Janet Wignall of Fleetwood in memory of her husband John Wignall J.P. Foundation stone laid by John Wignall Hodson (grandson) on Saturday 4 June 1904. Opened May 1905

Reference    Blackpool Times and Fleetwood Observer Wednesday 8 June 1904 page 7 with illustration