Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Hubert, and Attached Presbytery

Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady and St Hubert in Great Harwood, Lancashire, is a Victorian Gothic Revival church that has stood at the heart of the town's Catholic community since the late 1850s. Together with its attached presbytery it forms a protected group in the borough of Hyndburn, and it ranks among the more architecturally significant churches in the area.

Who designed the church and when was it built?

The church dates from 1857–9 and is attributed to Edward Welby Pugin, one of the best-known Catholic church architects of his generation. Local heritage research also credits James Murray as a co-architect, a detail missing from the official listing text. The mission in Great Harwood began in 1857, and the first masses were said in an ordinary cottage in Queen Street before the permanent church was ready.

Who paid for it?

The building was funded by James Lomax of Clayton Hall. His generosity went beyond the church itself: he also paid for the presbytery, the school and a parish hall, giving the new parish a complete set of buildings. Lomax and his wife are buried in a vault beneath the Lady Chapel, so the benefactor rests inside the church he made possible.

What does the building look like?

The walls are rock-faced sandstone with smoother ashlar dressings, topped by a steep slate roof. The plan is typical of Pugin's ecclesiastical work: a steeple at the west end, aisles running into the transepts, and an apsidal chancel with a Lady Chapel attached. The style is the so-called Middle Pointed phase of Gothic, which draws on the architecture of the 13th and 14th centuries. The tower and spire rise to about 117 feet (some 35 metres), making the church a landmark that can be picked out across the surrounding streets. The church also sits within a large burial ground, which adds to its presence in the townscape.

What is inside?

Visitors with an interest in church interiors will find a good deal to look at. The stained glass is by Hardman, the famous Birmingham firm that supplied many Catholic churches of the period. The high altar and reredos are the work of William Farmer, and a fine hanging rood draws the eye in the nave. The pipe organ has an interesting history of its own: it came from the Anglican church of St John, which has since been demolished.

Is it a listed building?

Yes. The church and the attached presbytery are listed together at Grade II*, the second-highest category in England's national listing system and one reserved for particularly important buildings. The listing was made in 1984.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the church? In Great Harwood, in the Hyndburn district of Lancashire, England.

Who was the architect? Edward Welby Pugin, with James Murray named as co-architect in local heritage records.

Can I see the interior? The church is an active place of worship, so the best approach is to check parish notices for service times and opening arrangements before visiting.

Is it worth a visit? For anyone interested in Victorian architecture, Pugin's work or stained glass, it is one of the most rewarding stops in Great Harwood.