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SS Peter and Paul RC Church, Ribchester |
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The church of St. Peter & St. Paul lies half a mile northeast of Ribchester. It stands picturesquely at the end of Stydd lane, leading off the road by the Stonebridge near the Ribchester Arms. The lane also gives access to the ancient church of St. Saviour, Stydd and the singular Almshouses. St. Peter & St. Paul’s is a barn church, built in 1789 and extended in 1877. The site was carefully chosen for at that time it was still illegal for Catholics to have public places of worship. The priest’s house, Stydd Lodge, is presumed to have been the residence of the Bailiff of the Stydd Estate for attached to the building are barns, shippon and a piggery.
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The church is plain, but substantial. It was built to
correspond in most detail with the barn on the other side of the lodge
in order to disguise its function as a place of worship. It is the last
of what are traditionally known as ‘Barn Churches’, others having been
altered or pulled down. St. Peter & St. Paul’s is the last such church
in its original shape and form, and is in fact the oldest building in
use at the present time as a church in the whole of the Salford Diocese:
not the oldest parish by any means but the oldest church building. The church was extended and reopened in 1877. The extension was impressive in length, from just in front of the top benches to the main door. It is interesting to note that the wall of the church on the house side is much thicker than the wall opposite. Thus, for 98 years or so, early members of the parish worshipped in the small area now taken up by the sanctuary.
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There is a cemetery attached, surrounded by lawn and garden areas, which is a picture to behold. These areas are lovingly tended and in 2005 the Church was judged overall winner of the Places of Worship class in the Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition. This is but one of a number of awards achieved over the years. Indeed with an award in each of the previous eight years success has been no stranger to those who work so hard to keep the Church and grounds in pristine condition. (Text extracts are taken from The Bicentenary booklet, edited by Father Sean Hogan and published in 1989. Main picture courtesy of Peter Ruddock, who retains copyright) |
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Parish Priest: Canon Frank Deeney The Presbytery, Stydd Lodge Stydd Lane. Ribchester PR3 3YQ Tel: 01254 878314 |
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To locate the church click on the link below |
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