Church Building

This beautiful church is a Grade II* listed local landmark is brimming with history and here for everyone.  Come and explore, we are open daily 9.00-5.00.

Kirkham (meaning 'Church Town') has had a church since at least 684AD, although 17th century gravestones are now the earliest surviving feature.  The current building dates from 1822 and was designed by Preston architect, Robert Roper.  The 46m (150') high tower and spire were added in 1844 by Edmund Sharpe and finally the chancel, which houses the High Altar, choir stalls, vestry rooms and organ, was added in 1853.

Find out about our Church Bells.

The Nave

The large open nave retains its traditional pews, including two 18th century Churchwardens' box pews salvaged from the previous building. The vibrant red ceiling is divided by painted ribs decorated with gilded bosses, each of a different design.

The High Altar and Chancel

The Church has three altars; the High Altar used at our main Sunday service and for other large gatherings, and two side altars.  The area immediately around the high altar, known as the Sanctuary, is separated from the rest of the chancel by steps and a brass altar rail.  People come to kneel or stand here when they receive Holy Communion or a blessing.

At the sides of the chancel are the Choir stalls and organ.

The Lady Chapel

This altar is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, hence that area of the nave is known as the Lady Chapel.  Its more intimate surroundings are where we celebrate Holy Communion mid-week and gather for Morning Prayer and Compline.

Behind the altar, below the organ pipes, is a painted and gilded wooden reredos (a decorated altar back) dated 1900.  It depicts the Annunciation: the announcement by the Angel Gabriel to Mary, that she would give birth to Jesus.  It was made in the workshops of Charles Eamer Kempe, who was famous for such church decoration, and came from the Latin Chapel of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.  The College are our patrons who, even now, have a role in choosing the vicar.  

The Lady Chapel is where the Reserved Sacrament (bread which has been blessed during a service of Holy Communion) is kept.  This is to ensure that it is available at very short notice to take to those who are seriously ill or housebound.  Its presence is indicated by the sacrament lamp being kept alight as a constant reminder that Christ is with us.

The second side altar is a military chapel which houses our two war memorials.

Pulpit

The wooden pulpit is an exceptional 3.5m high, which enabled the preacher to be heard clearly by those seated in the galleries.  It is now very rarely used, having been superseded by an electronic sound system.  Sermons however remain a key element of our services, as a communal exploration of the message encountered in the day's Bible readings, 

The lectern cloth, known as a 'pulpit fall', indicates the Church season.  Each part of the liturgical year and feast days are associated with particular colours; Advent and Lent purple, Holy Week and Pentecost red, Ordinary Time (the 'ordered' or counted time between other seasons) green, Christmas and Easter white or gold.  Matching vestments are worn by the priest.  The intention is help us focus on the nature of the season or service, whether that be celebratory or reflective.

Lectern

The brass lectern is in the traditional form of an eagle, associated with John the Apostle, and hence with St John the Evangelist, the author of the fourth gospel.  Today, the lectern is used not only for readings, but also sermons.

Baptismal Font

The Victorian octagonal stone font is located half way down the north side of the nave.  It originally stood close to the main door, as is more usual, to symbolise entrance into the Christian community through Holy Baptism (Christening).

The brass jug holds the blessed water which will be poured into the font.  The water sprinkled onto the head of those being baptised symbolises renewal and new beginnings in God's love.