The original Chapel built by the Yates family was consecrated in 1760 and stood a few yards to the north of the present church covering the vaults of the Kenyon & Fletcher family. People walked from Farnworth, Kearsley and Walkden to attend services, as it was the only place of worship between Eccles and Deane in which parish it was situated.
The
foundation stone of the present Church was laid by Lord Kenyon on August 5th,
1874 and the consecration took place on December 14th, 1876. The estimated
cost was £5,500. The stone for the foundations of the Church and superstructure
was obtained from Peel Quarry. The spire, which was completed in June 1898
cost a further £2,000 and has a height of 165 feet (50.3 metres) from
the ground.
Within the Church, three other types of stone are used. The pillars are Bath & Runcorn stone. The Reredos, Screen and Font are a type of 'alabaster' reportedly from the 'Blue John Mines' in Derbyshire. The green stone forming part of the legs of the large font is to be found in Connemara, Southern Ireland and possibly reached the Church through either a family connection of the Fletcher family of Peel Hall, or through local links with workmen on the Manchester Ship Canal.
The interior decoration of the Church took place following smoke damage from a fire in 1980, the Church having been newly decorated four years previously at the time of the Centenary.
The words of Consecration are still precious to us today: -
'Consecrate and set apart forever from all profane uses and solemnly dedicated
to the worship of Almighty God. May it long remain as a centre of Spiritual
life and may the services held, and the Sacraments administered within its
walls be conducive to the highest interest of all amongst whom it stands'.
South side windows
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Sunday School Window - This window erected in the building of the Church portrays Jesus receiving the little children and has the inscription 'Suffer little children to come unto me'. |
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In the Carpenter's shop - Jesus as a child learning a trade. Note the twentieth century saw being used by the boy Jesus (a deliberate mistake?) - 'The Carpenter of Nazareth did labour consecrate'. This window, in memory of Alice Charlton, was erected by her grandchildren. |
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This window presented by Mrs F. Topp in memory of her mother Frances Charlton is a portrayal of the Nativity, with the reminder by the angels, one of whom carries a cross and the other a crown, that Jesus' life beginning in a stable would end via the Cross to receive a Crown. |
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In memory of Mrs Topp, this window depicts the story of Dorcas as told in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 9, verses 36 - 43. Dorcas is described as 'Full of good works and acts of Charity'. |
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'Presentation in the Temple' is the Mothers Union Memorial Window. In one light the aged and devout Simeon holds the Child in his arms while he gives thanks to God. In the other light is the Holy mother with the sacrificial bird in her hands. Underneath are Simeon's words: - 'Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace'. |
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In memory of Frederick Topp, J.P. this window depicts St. Francis of Assissi preaching to two congregations - one of people, one of birds. |
Clergy Vestry
The door to the Clergy Vestry carries a brass plaque with the inscription 'Geo. Kenyon Esq.' dated 1759. This plate along with others in the vestry were originally Pew Plates from the old Peel Chapel.
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The window in the Clergy Vestry was above the Altar in the Lady Chapel before it was converted into a Vestry and shows the two Saints, St. Andrew and St. David below the window of All Saints. 'Those who are standing before the throne of God'. The rainbow, the symbol of God's promise, is above the earthly city of Jerusalem and the heavenly city, the abode of all those who have tasted the springs of living water (Revelations, Chapter 7, verses 9 - 17). Dedicated in memory of Lloyd Tyrell-Kenyon, patron of the 4th Lord Kenyon, presented by his widow and children. |
The Chancel
Choir seating - note the seat near the Lectern. The carving suggests that at one time this could have been a Bishop's Seat and was originally from the Peel Chapel.
The Lectern has designs of ferns, bluebells and other flowers, and has the head of a King at the base.
The Sanctuary Light is in memory of Mr. James Baxter and was donated by his wife and family.
The East window over the Altar was presented by the Misses Emma, Betsy, and Sarah Ann Charlton in memory of Thomas Charlton, Mary Atkin his wife, Mary Bleakley his wife and their departed children. The subject is 'the Atonement' completed by our Blessed Lord on Calvary. Portrayed in the three centre lights is the scene of the great sacrifice - on either side of Jesus stand the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. John. In the left outside light is the figure of St. Luke, the historian of the Atonement, with St. Paul the preacher in the right outside light. Below at each corner are two prophets of the Atonement, Jeremiah on the left and Zechariah on the right, while the lower parts of the three central lights depict the supper at Emmaus. At the top of the window two angels hold a shield with a crown upon it, with the letters I.H.S. - 'Iesou Hermon Sotor' - Jesus our Saviour. At the top of the window in the tracery, to the right and left are angels kneeling in worship each with a scroll bearing the words 'Benedicte Nomen Dui' - 'Blessed by the name of the Lord'. Every part of the window has a beautiful meaning, speaking out its message of Jesus Christ, our only hope, who died for us upon the Cross and lives for ever to save and who makes himself known to his people in the 'Breaking of Bread'.
The Reredos, presented by the Misses Emma, Betsy and Sarah Ann Charlton, are made of alabaster, the subject being 'The Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary'. The centrepiece, a dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, over a brass cross which sits on top of the area which was designed to house a tabernacle for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament. To the left is the Angel of the Annunciation and to the right the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Chancel side light - south side - in memory of Samuel Weston whose great generosity enabled the spire to be built, depicts the figure of the Prophet Isiah who foretold the 'Man of Sorrows' - despised and rejected of men, who would be led as a lamb to the slaughter. On the scroll is written 'Vulneratus est p prer iniquitates nostras' - 'He was wounded for our iniquities'.
The Chancel window - north side - depicts Moses striking the rock and water gushing out, for the use of the children of Israel whilst in the desert.
The present Organ, which replaced a smaller and 'inadequate' instrument, was installed in 1906. The specification was prepared by Dr. Wilson, brother of Revd. J. P. Wilson, organist of Ely Cathedral and later Manchester Cathedral. Messrs. Norman and Beard constructed the Organ and Dr. Wilson played at its inauguration.
The Pulpit - made of gypsum or alabaster with green Connemara marble pillars - donated by Mrs. J. D. Evans and Miss Walker - has scenes from the life and travels of St. Paul.
Chancel Screen - made of local stone topped with gypsum similar to the Pulpit and Font.
Bosses at the base of the Sanctuary Arch depict items from the time of the Crucifixion - ladder, nails, crown of thorns, crown of glory, hammer and spear.
The small font, near to the Pulpit, is the original Font from the Chapel and is still used for Baptisms.
Lady Chapel
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The Altar Table in the side Chapel came from the old Peel Chapel and was returned to Church by the Kenyon family in 1926, having taken possession of it when the old Chapel closed. |
| The Aumbry or tabernacle is situated in the North wall in the Side Chapel and is used for the reserved Sacrament for distribution to the sick and house bound of the Parish. |
North Side Windows
Portraying in the left light Our Lord blessing the children with the words 'Blessed are the pure in heart' and in the right St. Anne with the Virgin Child with the text 'In thy presence is the fullness of joy'. This window is in memory of William and Mary Ann Roscoe, Mary Jane Roscoe, Joseph and Betty Swindells, and George Swindells.
This window in memory of Canon C.P. Roberts donated by the people of Peel to the first Vicar of this Parish. Depicted are St. Paul holding a model of Peel Church and below an angel holding a model of the old Peel Chapel and our Lord with a lamb on his shoulder. The left Coat of Arms is that of the Province of York and on the right the Manchester Diocesan Coat of Arms.
The Epiphany - showing the offering of gifts by the Wise Men and portraying the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Christ Child holding a lily, the emblem of purity, and the three Kings, one of whom is Ethiopian. In the lower pictures we are reminded of the gifts and labours of our hands that we can offer. In memory of George Seddon presented by Mrs. Seddon and Family.
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Our newest stained glass window, the Agnes Kay Memorial Window, presented by her husband and family. This window indicates the influence of the Holy Spirit on the lives of ordinary people with special emphasis on those fields of service in which the late Mrs. Kay took a particular interest. Lydia of Thyatira, the first European woman convert to Christianity is introduced for her general acts of kindness and hospitality in the life of the early Church, and much more recently with reference to hospitals and the nursing profession, Agnes Elizabeth Jones (1832 - 1868) the pupil and friend of Florence Nightingale who worked in South West Lancashire. The service rendered to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is also commemorated, as is Mrs. Kay's membership of the Mothers Union. The small Lytham St. Annes windmill indicates the district in which the donors reside. |
The Children's Corner was created in 1976 originally having been near to the Organ where the present side chapel is situated. In memory of the men who gave their lives in the 1939 - 45 World War. The four animal carvings at the corners are in memory of individual men. The old Chemist's Brass Mortar, usually, used as a flower vase, is in memory of W. G. Brown killed in overseas service.
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The window over the Font is from the old Peel Chapel. Made of porcelain, the window was painted and then baked. It is all in one piece and depicts Christ in Glory with St. John at the left and St. Paul at the right. In this position above the Font we are reminded of our whole Christian Life from Baptism through Death, and because of Christ - 'the Sacrificial Lamb' - we are assured of the Resurrection into a glorious life. This window was given in memory of James and Elizabeth Weston and their departed children. |
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The Font itself is alabaster with pillars of Connemara marble and grey limestone 'marble'. The Cover, Chain and Crown counterweight were made by Edward Roscoe, a trainee blacksmith, aged 18. |
West Door
Choir Vestry - window over door in memory of James and Mary Ellen Guest portrays 'The Annunciation and Nativity' and was dedicated by the Revd. K. V. Ramsey, one time Vicar of this Parish and who later was consecrated Bishop of Hulme. The door to the vestry carries the Coat of Arms of the Royal School of Church Music.
Tablets in the West door foyer are from the old Peel Chapel and detail families who were benefactors whose money helped to establish the Church.