St Michael and All Angels, Ashton-on-Ribble
St. Michael and All Angels Church, Egerton Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 1AJ
St Michael's stands on a prominent corner between Tulketh Road and Egerton Road, but its origins were as a Sunday school for the working-class people who lived down the hill towards Preston Marsh. The Grade2 * listed building was designed by architects, Hubert J. Austin and Harry Paley of Lancaster. Built of red sandstone in the Perpendicular style in an Arts and Crafts manner, it is very characteristic of their work and echoes the medieval tradition of church building.
The foundation stone was laid in 1906 and the first part of the building was consecrated on 2 July 1908. The west end of the nave was finished and dedicated in July 1915. The church has a high nave with clerestory windows and timber roofing. Arcades of octagonal columns separate the nave from the aisles. The magnificent East window was created by H J Stammers of Bradwell, Buckinghamshire in 1969. There is also a Shrigley and Hunt window celebrating organist, Alice Livesey. The tower on the south side of the church was never completed beyond its present height. Look out for the carving of St Michael on the church porch!
The church building will be open for self-guided tours. Exhibition panels from Lancashire Museums about the work of Paley and Austin will be on display, and the Preston Guild Horns will hold a Saturday morning rehearsal where visitors can enjoy the sound of brass in this wonderful acoustic. At 3.00pm Dr Alan Crosby will give a talk on the foundation and early history of the church.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 20 September:
- Church open from 9am until 5pm; talk 3pm
- Sunday 21 September:
- Church open for Sunday Service at 10am; then from 12noon to 2pm. Later access to Rawstorne Singers concert only (paid access)
Location & directions
St. Michael and All Angels Church, Egerton Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, Lancashire, PR2 1AJ
- Directions:
- The church is situated at the junction of Egerton Road and Tulketh Road in Ashton-on-Ribble. The main church door on the south side is more easily accessed from Egerton Road, The entrance to the car park is from Tulketh Road. This will not be available on Saturday morning because of the farmers' market.
- Contact on day:
- 07854 771473
- Telephone number:
- +447854771473
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Please park on Egerton Road on Saturday morning as the church car park is occupied by the farmers' market. On Sunday there is disabled parking in the car park accessed from Tulketh Road, but parking on Egerton Road is still likely to be closer to the main church entrance.
Additional information
If you’re interested in the heritage of this site, a 36-page booklet by local historian, Alan Crosby on the history of the church and parish is available for £3. Full details of musical events and talks are on the church website and A Church Near You.
