Our Church
Welcome to St Mary's Church,Chorley

The population figures for Chorley over 100 years period were:-
1801 = 4,5161851 = 12,684 1901= 26,854
in 1901 around 8,000 people were catholics and this figure continued to grow.

St Mary's Parish was founded in 1847 in a chapel in Chapel Street.  Mount Pleasant, the land on which
the Church is built, was purchased in 1851, the first building being erected in 1853.  Changes have
occurred.  The present building dates around 1872, with the 8 peel, Bell Tower added in 1894.

St Mary's Church is often described as the "gem" of the Archdiocese of Liverpool. The edifice in Early English style has a basidial chancel, nave, transcepts, north porch, lady chapel, , an embattled western tower.

The church is approached from three directions, from the North via Dole Lane or through the car park, from the South via West Street, or the original main approach from Market Street through the fine Archway opposite Chapel Street.

Entrance to the Church is situated in the South West corner, which is close to the Presbytery.  Entering the narthex the three doors in the right lead in to the resource area and thence into the Church proper.
THE NARTHEX AND LADY CHAPEL

At the far end of the narthex is the Lady Chapel, the centre piece being a fine marble statue of Our Lady. The statue was given to the church by Mrs. Myerscough. The work was executed by Messrs. Barsanti and Sons, of Piazza de Duoma, Pisa, Italy. It was solemnly Blessed on Sunday May 24th 1914 when the Guild of St. Anne walked in their May Procession. Like the statue in the Grotto, it is a representation of Our Lady of Lourdes. Until the recent new entrance was built it was situated at the South end of the narthex, and prior to that at the right hand side of the Main Altar. The brass rails are part of the original altar gates. The stained glass window shows the Arms of Thomas Flynn, one time Bishop of Lancaster, and Parish priest of this parish 1934-1939. The translation of the Latin is ‘‘IN BONDS OF CHARITY‘‘



THE MAIN BODY OF THE CHURCH

On entering the main part of the church, one first comes to the resource area which is situated underneath the choir.

It has been suggested that the best way to take in the first view of the Church is to enter by the centre door and then proceed to about three quarters of the way down the main aisle, there one can pause and take in the full view of the Main Altar and the two side altars of Our Lady and the Sacred Heart. (More details of these altars later.)


THE CENTENARY WINDOW (1947)

Turning to the left one faces the fine Centenary window which was installed in 1947 to mark the first 100 years of St. Mary’s Church. The window contains five lights:-

1. In the centre is Christ the King in Glory, his rich ruby cloak held open by adoring angels. Behind Christ are the Cross and Thorns, symbols of his sacrifice.

2. and 3. These outer lights contain St. Thomas More (left) and St. John Fisher (right). St. John Fisher is in cope and mitre as a bishop and behind him is a replica of his Cathedral at Rochester and surmounted by the Cardinal's Hat. St. Thomas More is in his Chancellor’s robes, behind him is a replica of The Tower of London where he and St. John Fisher were martyred.

4. To the bottom left St. Lawrence kneels, holding a model of the Church of St. Lawrence, Chorley; it is fitting to include St. Lawrence who is the Patron Saint of Chorley. He was one of the seven deacons to Pope Sixtus the Second, the Saint was martyred in 258. The gridiron and the lapping flames show that, according to tradition, he was martyred by roasting.

5. Bottom right is St. Alban, the first English martyr. St. Alban belonged to the ancient British Church in the days of the Roman Empire. He was martyred in 304 during the persecution of Diocletion and Maximus. St. Alban is incorporated into the window as a constant reminder that the faith in this country in Roman times as well as afterwards, has always been both Catholic and Papal.

6. Underneath the figure of Christ the King, is the hill of Calvary; four streams of water signify the Grace of God flowing to the corners of the world.

7. To the top left are the arms of Archbishop Downey, Archbishop of Liverpool at the time of the installation of this window. The motto is ‘‘Seek the things that are above’’.

8. Centre top of the window are the Papal arms of Pope Pius XII. The motto translates, ‘‘The word of Justice is Peace’’.

9. To the top right the arms of the Chorley Family can be seen with the motto ‘‘Tenacious of Purpose’’, very true of them in their steadfast loyalty to the Catholic Faith.

The translation of the Latin at the base of the window is:-
‘‘Living waters shall go forth from Jerusalem and the Lord shall be King over the whole earth’’. (Zachariah).


THE LANCASHIRE MARTYRS WINDOWS
These windows are beneath the Centenary Window and are of the five martyrs of the area.

From left to right they are:-

1. The Venerable Roger Ashton from Croston, who was tried for having obtained a papal dispensation and was condemned denying all treason to Elizabeth.

2. The Venerable Roger Wrenno is our Chorley Martyr and was a layman. He was born in Chorley and was baptised in the Parish Church on July 18th 1576. His trade was that of a weaver and he lived in Alfreds Court, off Market Street. Much of his energy during a time of persecution was spent in assisting priests in bringing the sacraments to the faithful of his home town.

It was whilst sheltering one such priest, Fr. John Thules, who was born in Whalley and trained at the English Colleges of Reims and Rome, that Roger Wrenno was arrested, this was towards the end of September 1615. Betrayed by one of Fr. Thules own cousins and by the order of the Earl of Derby, Lord Lieutenant of Lancaster and Cheshire, the two of them were sent to Lancaster for trial. They escaped shortly before the Lenten Assizes of 1616 but were quickly recaptured.

Both were convicted, Fr. Thules for being a priest and Roger Wrenno for the relieving and assisting of priests. At least three times they were offered their lives if they would take the Oath of Allegiance but they steadfastly refused to do so. They were both executed on March the 18th 1616. When Roger Wrenno was turned off the ladder the rope snapped and he fell to the ground, he was once again asked to take the Oath, he replied,‘‘I am the same man I was and in the same mind. Use your pleasure with me’’. A new rope was obtained and they sent him to the company of the martyrs.

3. Blessed Lawrence Richardson was a priest at Park Hall and kept the faith alive in that area. He was a priest of extraordinary zeal and piety. Edmund Fleetwood, a bitter persecutor of the Catholic Faith in Lancashire, and a Justice of the Peace, on hearing that a young priest had come into the province, said, ‘‘We strive in vain, we hoped that with the old papist priests dying, all papists should have died and ended with them. But this new breed will never be rooted out . It is impossible ever to be rid of them, nor excoriate the papist faith out of the land‘‘. When the martyr came to be executed he was forced to witness the butchery that was carried out on Luke Kirby. When the venerable head was cut off and held before the people, and the hangman, according to custom, cried out ‘‘God save the Queen’’ they asked Richardson what he had to say to that, he answered ‘‘Amen; I pray God save her’’.

4. The Venerable John Finch of Eccleston. He was conspicuous for his zeal. Arrested in 1580 and detained in the Earl of Derby's house, and in dungeons at the House of Correction in Fleet Street, Salford. He was sent to Lancaster via Preston with Father Ball (the Warrington Martyr) and suffered with him full of joy. John Finch was of farming stock, hence the haystack in the window. Relatives still live in the Mawdesley area.
5. Blessed John Rigby came from Harrock, he went to court to answer for a widow being convicted of being a Catholic, he himself was questioned, and acknowledged his faith. The long record of his trial and martyrdom abounds in noble confessions made with great courage.
Since this window was installed, Blessed John Rigby has been canonised, and the Venerable Roger Wrenno beatified.


                  THE MEMORIAL CHAPEL

In this corner of the church is the Memorial Chapel which is at the base of the Church Tower. It was originally the Baptistry. The font was moved to the open space outside the Chapel when the Church was last re-ordered, thus allowing more open Baptismal Services to be held.

Entrance to the Chapel is through a pair of fine wrought iron gates. The lower walls are of carved oak panels. The stained glass window on the left shows in very fine detail the Sacraments. On the facing wall a window depicts Christ being baptised by St. John the Baptist. The lower part of the window shows a child receiving the Sacrament of Baptism. The right hand wall contains the words of the Creed - a relic of the days when this Chapel was the Baptistry.

The plaque let into the panelling on the far wall lists the names of the parishioners who gave their lives in the First World War.

There is a Remembrance Book.  The Chapel is a place of prayer.
THE LADY ALTAR
The window above the altar depicts St. John's vision of the Glorious Woman in the Book of the Apocalypse.

The altar is of Caen stone. The statue to the left is of St. Thomas of Canterbury and was placed there as he was the Patron Saint of Canon Crank (P.P.1897-1932). The statue to the right is of St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite Friar who was given the scapular by Our Lady. The main statue is of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel surrounded by angels.

When the church was consecrated in 1927 relics of St. Verecundia were placed in the altar by Archbishop Keating and Bishop Dobson. On the altar front is the Latin inscription:-

‘‘Maria, Mater gratiae, dulcis parens clementiae: to nos ab hoste protege, et mortis hors suscipe’’.

Mary, Mother of grace, Parent sweet and kind; protect us from the enemy, and receive us at the hour of our death.

The altar rails and gates date from about 1909/10, the rails are of polished marble and alabaster built by Messrs. Boulton and Sons of Cheltenham. The gate is of solid brass and bears the inscription, ‘‘Ave Maria’’ and was designed by Messrs. Hardman and Company of Birmingham.

The wall to the left of the altar had at one time a painting of the Enthroned Madonna with the text :- ‘‘Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum’’. From a certain angle the indentation of this fresco can still be seen.

THE SHRINE OF ST AGNES
On leaving the Memorial Chapel immediately to the left is the Shrine of St. Agnes. This was a gift from the members of the Guild of St. Agnes, the shrine was unveiled and dedicated on Sunday September 24th 1913, from a design by Messrs. Pugin and Pugin. Daltons of Cheltenham carved the wrought oak pedestal and canopy with wings containing shelves for vases. The same firm executed the stone statue.
THE HIGH ALTAR

The windows at the rear of the altar consist of three triple lights, representing the nine choirs of angels, each choir represented by one figure with traditional emblems. The emblems in the small windows at the top, are from left to right as follows:-

1. A Lily2. Apple   3. Book & Scroll 4. I.H.S.   5. Dove.
6. Hand.7. Chalice.   8. Flaming Sword. 9. Dagger.

The Angels are from left:- Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim.

The reredos (10) behind the altar is of marble and alabaster and contains eight murals depicting the life of Our Lady. From left to right they are:-

1. Our Lady as a little girl with St. Anne and St. Joachim.
2. Our Lady in her youth.
3. The betrothal of Mary and Joseph.
4. The Annunciation by the Angel Gabriel to Our Lady.
5. The Presentation in the temple.
6. The presentation to Simeon in the temple.
7. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple
8. The Holy Family in Nazareth.

The original High Altar is of polished alabaster and marble. The tabernacle doors are of polished brass. Above the altar the eye is drawn to the carved wooden spire of fine proportions. Beneath the altar stone are three engravings depicting, centre - The lamb of God, right - The Holy Spirit, and left, - The Son of God.

The new altar table at the front of the sanctuary was built from the original communion rails (again of alabaster and marble) and was consecrated on Friday May 3rd 1991 by the late Archbishop Worlock OM. The sanctuary lamp hangs to the rear left of the main altar, originally the lamp hung from the roof in a central position.
The Ambo (more commonly referred to as the pulpit) is to the left of the altar. This is the original pulpit which used to be situated in front of the pillar on the left hand side of the sanctuary. At that time it was quite high as it was mounted on a solid plinth made from the same materials as the pulpit (alabaster and marble). The priest climbed up to the pulpit by a flight of stone steps.

The roof of the sanctuary is painted with murals of Angels. The inscription is part of the Common Preface of the old Latin Mass:-

‘‘Coeli coelorumque Virtutes ac beatus Seraphim socia exsultatione concelebrant; cum quibus et nostras voces ut admitti iubeas deprecamur, supplicii confessione dicentes, Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt caeli et in terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis, Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini, Hosanna in excelsis.’’

The heavens and the heavenly Powers celebrate in common exultation: we pray you let our voice blend with theirs, as they humbly praise you, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.


THE SACRED HEART ALTAR

Moving to the right one comes to the Sacred Heart Altar. The rear window is of the vision of St. Margaret Mary. At the top of the window there is a representation of St. Charles Borromeo, who was the patron saint of Fr. Charles Slater. It is interesting to note that the Saint is holding a chess board under his arm. Chess was one of Fr. Slater’s favourite pastimes, he was assistant priest at St. Mary’s and when he died in 1905 the men of the parish erected this altar in his honour. The Latin at the base of this window reads:- ‘‘Learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart’’.

The altar is of Caen Stone and has a statue of the Sacred Heart with three cloistered angels to right and left. The Latin inscription on the front of the altar table is from a hymn or poem to the Sacred Heart:-

   ‘‘CorJesu melle dulcius, puris amicum mentibus,
    puris amendum cordibus, incorde regnes omnium’’.

   Heart of Jesus, sweeter than honey, friend to pure souls;
   to be loved by pure hearts: may you reign in the hearts of all.

Below the altar are two angels with a pierced heart and chalice between them.

The altar rails are the original rails from 1909/10. In 1927 relics of St. Modesta were placed in the altar.

To the right of this altar is the door to the Sacristy

THE SACRISTY

The Sacristy is in two parts, the vesting room and a large area behind the altar. They are both fitted with a vast array of storage cupboards. The window behind the vesting table, consists of three lights. The centre shows Christ on the Cross with the Father and the Holy Spirit in a small light above. In the left light is St. Thomas and in the right light St. Therese, the windows are in remembrance of Canon Crank PP VF and his sister, Therese. In and around the Sacristy are six marble plaques naming people for whom Foundation Masses are said.
THE ROSE WINDOW
Looking up at this point the Rose Window can be seen, a better view can be had from the opposite side of the church.

Further along in the corner is the statue to St. Anthony. In the opposite corner of the church can be seen the statue of St Joseph. Going back to the centre of the church and looking up to the west wall above the choir the fine Lady Window can be seen.


   THE ASSUMPTION WINDOW

Looking West from the High Altar, the window above the choir depicts the Assumption of Our Lady. The central figure, rising from the stone steps, is flanked by five angels on either side. The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove looks down on the scene. The inscription reads, ‘‘Assumpta est Maria in coelam. Gaudete Angeli’’. ‘‘Mary is assumed into heaven. Praised by the Angels’’.
     THE STATUE OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISSI
Many years ago Mrs. Carter, formerly Esther Welsby made an offering of £27 for a statue of St. Francis. This sum of money was allowed to increase by interest and then because of the First World War, it became impossible to obtain a satisfactory tender. The statue was eventually completed in 1921. Unfortunately the donor did not manage to see the statue erected in the Church as she and her husband had emigrated to Canada. It was coincidence that on the very day that the Parish Priest received the notice that the statue awaited his suggestions as to painting, he also learned that Mr. and Mrs. Carter were leaving for Canada. His offer to forego the claims upon such generosity was emphatically declined and photographs of the finished work were sent to the donor in Canada.
ST. JOSEPH    ST. ANTHONY
THE STATUE OF ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS

The statue of the Little Flower stands not far from where it was originally erected in the rose garden on Friday 2nd September 1932. The statue was cast by Messrs. Burton of Thames Ditton and is a representation of St. Therese stepping down from heaven to this world.

In either hand she has a bunch of roses to be distributed among her devout followers. The poise of the figure on the steps is delightful and the sense of movement is very cleverly suggested. Every detail of the statue is correct and the face has been modelled from an original photograph. Infinite care has been taken with the robes and the roughness of the Carmelite dress is preserved.


THE LOURDE GROTTO

The original Grotto was on the site of the the new Church House and was a very large edifice, it was solemnly blessed on Sunday 17th May 1914. The whole work of erecting the Grotto, planting the surrounding area with trees and shrubs and laying the paths was completed in two weeks. Messrs.. Hickman and Partington designed and erected the original Grotto which consisted of seventy tons of stone and rubble, and was as far as possible a reproduction of the famous shrine in Lourdes. It was dismantled at the start of work on the present church house and re-built on a much smaller scale, situated on the left near the gates leading into the West Street car park.
ST. MARY'S ARCHWAY

The statue of the Little Flower stands not far from where it was originally erected in the rose garden on Friday 2nd September 1932. The statue was cast by Messrs. Burton of Thames Ditton and is a representation The Archway (which is situated at the bottom of the hill, on the East side of the church) was solemnly dedicated and opened on Sunday 22nd June 1912. In 1912 Father Crank celebrated 25 years of priesthood. A very generous donation was made by the parishioners making the building of the Archway possible. At the presentation Fr. Crank said:- ‘‘I have a simple, and a natural ambition to be remembered in the days to come. I would also like the generosity that you have shown this night to become a tradition among your children. Together I feel that we are kindly disposed to add something to the beauty of the town in which we live. By erecting an ornamental archway at the foot of Mount Pleasant we would achieve three objectives:- One, it would be an addition to the architectural features of the Borough. Two, a perpetuation of this example of your self sacrifice. And Three, a memento of my Silver Jubilee. This archway of stone with walls to suit may be, I trust, worthy of you, St. Mary’s Church and the good town of Chorley’’.

The ceremony on the day of dedication was carried out with modest simplicity. After the eleven o’clock Mass, a procession was formed, headed by the new North Lancashire Band, the men of the Parish and The Children of Mary, together with some 700 members of the congregation.

This description of the Archway is taken from Press cuttings printed at the time of the opening.

‘‘It is a four-centred Gothic Arch, built from designs by Messrs. Pugin and Pugin. It is noteworthy that the design follows one furnished by the late Augustus Pugin, the greatest Gothic architect of modern times, which was erected at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1844. The stone work is almost entirely of dressed Cullingworth, the wall which is stepped is of shoddies, with dressed plinth and coping. The height of the Archway is 28 feet to the top of the cross, the width across the buttress is 18 feet, and the carriageway 9 feet 6 inches. In the centre niche, facing Market Street, stands a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, clasping to her breast the Crown of Thorns. On either side are representations of St John the Evangelist and St. Mary Magdalene. The former holds in his hands the chalice from which the serpent is rising, according to the legend that upon blessing a cup of poisoned wine presented to him by his enemies a small reptile issued forth. St Mary Magdalene is seen with her alabaster box of ointment. The niches are surmounted by cusped and traced canopies, and on each side of the central niche, both back and front, are sunken panels, beneath which run the inscriptions. In the traceried spandrels are carved the Tiara and Cross Keys, and the Arms of the reigning Pontiff, Pius X’’.

On the side facing the Church, has been placed a particularly beautiful statue of St. Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr for the rights of the Holy See.

The inscription on the front of the Archway is in English, and reads as follows:- ‘‘O all ye that pass by the way attend, and see if there be any sorrow like to My sorrow’’. (Lamentations 1:2) At the back is a Latin inscription:- ‘‘Deo Optimo Maximo’’ (abbreviated to D.O.M.) ‘‘Thomas S. Crank, Huius Ecclesiae Rectories, Sacerdotii Lustries V Feliciter Clausis, Grex Gaudens Gratulans, Hanc Portam Exstruendam Curavit, A.D., MDCCCCXII’’. This may be translated: ‘‘To God, the Most Holy and Most High. Upon the happy completion of twenty-five years of Priesthood Thomas S. Crank, Rector of this Church, his flock, rejoicing with and congratulating him, erected this Arch in the year of Our Lord, 1912’’.

THE CHURCH TOWER


The Tower was erected in the summer of 1894; the bells were blessed by Bishop Whiteside in September of that year.

The Tower has a height of 130ft. There are 140 steps which are situated in the octagonal stair turret in the North East angle of the tower.

The peal consist of eight bells, each of which has its own name, these are:- St. Saviour, St. Mary, St. Joseph, St. John, St. William, St. George, St. Patrick and St. Andrew. The largest (the Angelus) is 47 inches in diameter, and the smallest (the Passing bell) 29inches, the total weight of the bells is one ton.

The formal opening of the tower (and peal of bells) took place on Sunday October 21st 1894. It was special in that there was an official visit to the church by the Mayor, Alderman James Lawrence, J.P. He was accompanied by members of the Town Council, Police, and the Band of the Chorley Rifle Volunteers, together with a large contingent of the leading Burgesses and Borough Officials.

Though the Church Tower was well built, its general lines however, were somewhat slender, the height of the tower appearing great in proportion to the area of the base. Because of this, if stresses, such as a peal of bells in full swing, were applied at the top of the structure, then there was a tendency for the tower to oscillate.

It was decided in 1926 after consultation with architects, Messrs. Pugin and Pugin, and Messrs. Taylor of Loughborough to put the bells into two chambers and to make a new frame. The report was emphatic. ‘‘Undoubtedly the only method by which this oscillation can be reduced is to re-hang the bells in a new massive and correctly designed framework lower in the tower’’. This new framework is of exceptional strength and rigidity to form a bond for the tower walls - acting as a reinforcement to that particular portion in which it is situated. The main girders employed are of 14'' x 6'' section, and form an immensely strong foundation. Upon this base the framework proper is built. To carry the two hoisted bells, further 8'' x 5'' girders are used. It is customary, to employ merely steel angles or light channels, but here again, in order to assist the tower in every possible way, the previous mentioned method is used. The heavy casting of the framework is bonded between the lower foundation and the upper 8'' x 5'' girders. This firm and rigid construction constitutes the reinforced section to the tower.

In the refurbishment of 1926 and the re-hanging, new fittings of the latest type were provided, incorporating many improvements introduced by Messrs. Taylor, including cast iron head-stocks and patent self aligning ball bearings throughout. These bearings have many advantages compared with the old fashioned type, as they are practically frictionless and cause the bells to be rung with very small exertion on the part of the ringers; further, they are totally enclosed and quite dust and dirt proof, and when filled with oil in the first instance do not require further lubrication, except at intervals of ten years or so.