St Mary and All Saints Church, Whalley from Romans to Pre-Raphaelites
Church Lane, Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9SY
The Heritage Open Day will focus on the evolving Architecture of the Church with structures and items from the Romans to today.
• The keystone of the North door bears a Roman inscription.
• The Saxon Church was referred to in the Domesday Book (1086).
• Some of that stonework from the Norman Church (which burnt down) remains in the columns around the South Door, the carved heads above the pillars on the North side of the Nave and the carving on the seat of the Sedilia.
• The building of the present church began in the early C13 when Peter de Cestria was Rector. His gravestone is mounted on the South Wall.
• The Vicars board on the South wall lists all the Rectors and Vicars and shows the close links to the adjacent Abbey.
• The monument to Rev. Dr Whitaker, Vicar from 1809-1821 is in the Chancel. He is the author of the ‘History of Whalley’ and volumes of his books will be on display during the Heritage Open Day.
• There are stained-glass windows by Augustus Pugin, Edward Burne-Jones and John Hardman.
• Whalley Church has been described as ‘an Arts and Crafts paradise'. There are three Stained Glass windows, the Reredos, the Altar Cross and Silverware designed by artists of this period.
• The Church is used regularly and is open every day from 1000 – 1600. Visitors are always welcome. Join us for refreshments and a chat.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 1000-1600
Location & directions
Church Lane, Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9SY
- Directions:
- Whalley is 3 miles from Clitheroe. Postcode BB7 9SY. BY CAR - 1. Leave the A59 Clitheroe By Pass at Langho or Barrow and travel into King Street, Whalley. 2. Leave the Burnley /Clitheroe Road A671 at the traffic Lights signed to Whalley. BY BUS Buses from Blackburn, Preston and Burnley come into King Street, Whalley. BY RAIL The Railway Station is off Station Road follow the Railway Arches down Broad Lane to the Church. WALKING Church Lane meets King Street between Whalley Wine Shop and The DeLacy Inn. The Church is behind the Dog Inn. From the Railway. Turn left on Station Road and then right at the War memorial onto King Street.
- Contact on day:
- Dorothy Borland
- Telephone number:
- +447900472594
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Access to the Nave is level. There are two steps up to the Chancel. The organ consul is in the Nave. Most of the Churchyard paths are paved but the grave stones are in a grass area. There is 2 hours free parking on King Street and disabled parking in front of Whalley Wine Shop. Some of the pavements on Church Lane are uneven. All entrances into the Churchyard are level except for the East Gate (behind The Dog Inn) which has steps. Disabled Parking is available at The Co-op in the centre if the village.
Additional information
Several 'History of Whalley' books will be on view, usually there is only one open in the display cabinet . The Church is situated in an area of historical interest. The Abbey grounds and ruins are a few minutes walk away. Further along The Sands you will find the Lay Brothers’ Dormitory and English Martyrs Church, the Abbey Gatehouse and the impressive brick Railway Arches. There is a Churchyard trail available with gravestones from the Saxon Crosses to Commonwealth Graves. Whalley is in a lovely location, overlooked by Whalley Nab and the river runs along the grounds of the Abbey.
