Prescot Parish Church

Prescot Parish Church
Prescot Parish Church
Position of the church in Merseyside
Basic information
Location	Prescot, Merseyside, England
Geographic coordinates	53°25′42″N 2°48′23″W / 53.42845°N 2.80625°W / 53.42845; -2.80625Coordinates: 53°25′42″N 2°48′23″W / 53.42845°N 2.80625°W / 53.42845; -2.80625
Affiliation	Anglican
Province	Province of York
District	Diocese of Liverpool
Ecclesiastical or organizational status	Parish church
Leadership	Canon John A. Taylor, vicar
Website	Prescot Parish Church
Architectural description
Architect(s)	Henry Sephton (tower and spire)
Architectural type	Church
Architectural style	Gothic
Completed	1900
Specifications
Materials	Red sandstone

Prescot Parish Church, dedicated to St Mary, is in the town of Prescot, Merseyside, England (grid reference SJ465927). It is a Grade I listed building^[1] and continues as an active parish church.^[2]

History

The circular shape of the churchyard suggests that a church was on the site before the Norman Conquest, and parts of the existing fabric in the chancel and north vestry date possibly from the 15th century.^[3] The church was largely rebuilt in 1610. The tower was built in 1729 and the spire added in 1797.^[2] The tower and spire were designed by Henry Sephton, the spire being rebuilt after a lightning strike. The aisles were widened between 1817 and 1819, a restoration took place in 1876, and the south vestry was added in 1900.^[3] In 1953 the aisles were rebuilt.^{[citation needed]}

Description

The church is built in red sandstone.^[3] Its plan consists of a west tower, a nave with a clerestory, north and south aisles and a chancel with north and south vestries. The tower has a west entrance with a three-light window above and an inscribed frieze. The bell stage has Doric flat pilasters and an entablature, 2-light louvred bell openings, and clock faces. The parapet has a balustrade and three finials to each angle, and the spire has three tiers of lucarnes. The aisles have cornices and embattled parapets.^[1]

Internally are five-bayed arcades. Stone plaques on the walls carry the arms and sometimes the initials of the 1610 benefactors. The stalls, with poppyhead carving, are dated 1636. The reredos is of panelled timber, dated 1891 and designed by Kempe. There are two fonts, one Norman and simple on a modern base, the other, which was donated in 1755, was previously an Italian marble stoup. The chancel screen is dated 1921. The stained glass includes some in the south aisle by Morris & Co. There are a number of monuments, including one dated 1803 by Sir Richard Westmacott, and a brass dated 1836 which was designed by A. W. N. Pugin.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Images of England: Church of St Mary, Prescot, English Heritage, http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?pid=1&id=215286, retrieved 2008-05-02 
2. ^ ^{a b} Prescot Church, Prescot Parish Church, http://prescotchurch.merseyworld.com/, retrieved 2008-05-02 
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Pollard, Richard; Nikolaus Pevsner (2006), The Buildings of England: Lancashire: Liverpool and the South-West, New Haven & London: Yale University Press, pp. 540–542, ISBN 0 300 10910 5