Church of St Wilfrid

Church of St Wilfrid is a Roman Catholic church on Derby Road in Longridge, a small town in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. It is a Grade II listed Gothic Revival building from the 1880s, and its stone spire is one of the landmarks of the town centre.

What is the story of St Wilfrid's in Longridge?

Catholic worship in Longridge began in a school-chapel on Pitt Street, built in 1867-69. As the congregation grew, plans for a proper church were drawn up in 1878 by William Withnell, an architect from Preston. A local parish history gives a different name, a Mr Hughes of Preston, so the attribution of the design is not settled.

The new church opened in July 1886 under the Bishop of Salford. It was built without a tower because money had run short. The missing parts were added in 1908-09: the tower with its spire, the porch and the baptistery. With the spire in place, the church took on the silhouette that now rises above the surrounding streets and forms an important part of the townscape in the local conservation area.

What does the building look like?

According to the Historic England listing, the church has a tall nave with a clerestory, a lower chancel ending in a polygonal apse, an east porch and a north-east tower. The tower carries an octagonal stone spire and is lit by lancet windows, the narrow pointed openings typical of the Gothic Revival.

One detail surprises visitors who know church plans: the apse stands at the west end rather than the traditional east. The porch is at the east end, so you enter from the opposite side to what many older churches would suggest.

What is inside?

The listing describes the interior as being of little architectural interest, yet it has pleasant features: arcades on round columns and an open timber roof above the nave. The furnishings tell the story of the parish over the decades:

• the oak pulpit, dated 1881-88
• the Stations of the Cross, from 1895
• the high altar and reredos, from 1900
• a carved oak chair dated 1631
• the head of a brass processional cross said to predate the Reformation

Who was St Wilfrid?

The church is named after Wilfrid, a seventh-century bishop of Northumbria and one of the best-known saints of northern England. His name is borne by many churches across Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire and the Midlands, so make sure you have the Longridge church in mind when searching, as several parishes share the dedication, including one in nearby Ribchester.

Visiting tips

• The church stands on Derby Road, within easy walking distance of Longridge's shops and cafes.
• The spire is visible from many points in town, which makes it a handy landmark for finding your way.
• Longridge is a good base for walks into the Ribble Valley and the Forest of Bowland, so a stop at the church fits naturally into a day out in the area.
• Check the parish for service times if you wish to see the interior, as access depends on worship and local arrangements.

Frequently asked questions

When was St Wilfrid's in Longridge built? The church opened in July 1886. The tower, spire, porch and baptistery were added in 1908-09.

Is the church listed? Yes, it is Grade II listed by Historic England.

Who designed it? Plans were drawn in 1878 by William Withnell of Preston, although one parish history names a Mr Hughes of Preston.

What denomination is it? It is a Roman Catholic church.