St John's Church Gannow near Burnley

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, Gannow Lane, was erected in 1880, the foundation stone having been laid by Colonel John Hardy Thursby, on September 22nd. 1877. It is a Gothic edifice of handsome appearance designed by Messrs. Wm. Waddington & Son, of Burnley. The site and a large portion of the cost of erection was borne by the late Rev. William Thursby and Lady Scarlett. The cost of erection was ,8,000. The building was completed in 1892 at an additional cost of ,7,000, being defrayed by Sir John Thursby. Bart., the additions comprising an imposing tower, a clock and a magnificent reredos. The foundation stone of the tower was laid by Sir John O.S. Thursby, J.P., on April 25th, 1891. The height of the tower is 105 feet, and the turret 135 feet. The war memorial was dedicated on April 24th, 1921, by Bishop Henn, and is composed of four tablets of veined alabaster, set in ornamental carved oak frames and contains 133 names, in memory of the men of Gannow who fell in, and of men who died through the Great War, 1914‑1919. In 1922 the church was presented with a handsome and valuable set of communion vessels of solid silver, by members of the Wigglesworth family. It consists of five pieces, a flagon, two chalices and two patens. The two chalices are in memory, one of Robert Wigglesworth, and the other of Sarah, his wife. The patens are, one in memory of Rowland Winston. and Lillian Eileen Smith the other of Clara Emmeline and Sarah Ann, cousins and grandchildren of Robert and Sarah Ann Wigglesworth. The cost of the set was ,60. In 1924 the "Holophane" system of electric light was installed in the church. In 1925 a prayer desk was provided for the sanctuary in memory of late M. Scoble, who was for 26 years lay‑clerk of the church. It is made of selected wainscot oak and richly carved, at a cost of over ,30 raised by subscriptions. The church contains 800 sittings, all‑free. The benefice is a vicarage 'of the annual value of ,400. in the patronage of the rector of Burnley, and held by the Rev. D. H. Curtis. Day and Sunday schools were erected 1890, at a cost of £1,500. The day and Sunday schools at Wood Top connected to the parish, were handed over from Holy Trinity when the new parish was formed.

BURNLEY - On Thursday, the 8th of April, the new Church of St. John the Baptist, Gannow, Burnley, the gift of the Rev. W. Thursby, of Ormerod House, and Lady Scarlet, was consecrated. The plan of the church consists of a broad nave (all the benches are placed within the arcades, the aisles being used as passages only), north and south aisles, and chancel. There is a south chapel to the chancel and a south transept to the nave. On the north side is a vestry and organ-chamber with robing-passage. A tower to the west and two bays of the nave have still to be added. The style adopted is that of the 13th century. The exterior of the church is faced with parpoints, with Noggarth-stone dressings, Bath stone being used in the interior. The woodwork in roofs, benches, etc, is of pitch-pine, and the building is slated with Westmoreland green slate. The chancel furniture (including choir-benches, north and south screens, altars, credence, and case for organ) are in Dantzic oak. The pulpit and chancel parapet are in- alabaster. The chancel is covered with antiques tiles, and the steps are in dark red and grey marbles. The lectern is executed in Dantzic oak, and contains a figure of the patron saint. The church is heated by means of hot water on the low-pressure principle. The lighting in the nave is effected by two rows of corona?. The chancel is lighted by brass standards over the choir-screens, and large brackets in the sacrarium. The church, when completed, will seat over 600 persons, 500 seats being provided at present. The cost, including organ and laying out the grounds, will be £8,000. The architects are Messrs. Wm. Waddington and Son, of Burnley and Manchester. [Building News 30 April 1880 page 513]

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST - Last week this new church was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester. It has been erected at a cost of about £8,000 and is Early English in style. Accommodation is provided for about 500 persons but provision has been made for future additions to the building. Stone has been used in construction, Bath stone being used for interior work. The woodwork in the chancel, including screens and organ is of Danzig oak. [British Architect 16 April 1880 Page 190]

Reference        Manchester Guardian Saturday 26 May 1877 Page 1 Contracts
Reference        Manchester Guardian Friday 1 June 1877 Page 1 Contracts
Reference        Building News 30 April 1880 page 513
Reference        British Architect 16 April 1880 Page 190