Rivington Parish Church Interior Photos
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Rivington Parish Church
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Rivington Parish Church

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Interior
Interior of the Church


North Window

South Window

 
Rivington Parish Church Photos.

The site is referred to as a little toft and quillet and the hill on which the church stands could well have been a burial mound or lowe, suggesting a place of pre-christian worship.

The early Saxon inhabitants were probably baptised into the Christian faith in 666 and the first church was thought to be one of several buildings erected for the purpose of worship before the Norman conquest. However there is little doubt that there was a church or chapel of some kind here in Saxon times also.

The stone lintels over the Chancel windows are of Saxon origin and are crudely cut in one block of stone.

The early church was probably a simple rectangle, the Chancel and Sanctuary and south side were added in the year 1666.

Note the difference in the windows on each side North Wall window. Square at top South Wall window. Arched at top. The oak Screen is very old and its origin is unknown. It may have come from a neighbouring religious house at Lostock as has been suggested. It is said to have lain in a farmer's barn for many years and has been partially restored. A very interesting feature are the faces carved in each section. These are thought to be the faces of the wood carver's family. Certainly everyone is different: some male, some female, some adult, some children. There is no record of the Chandelier, though one like it in Deane Church was purchased in 1737, so this may be of the same age. Electric light candles have now replaced the wax ones. The lectern was put in by Rev W Ritson in 1883.

The font, which was originally at the West End, was refixed in its present position in 1883. Tragically the conical oak cover has been disposed of.

Two beautifully carved chairs in the Sanctuary were given to the church by Mr Percy Edge of Bolton in memory of his wife. Each one is carved with nine faces on it and arc Elizabethan. They originally came from the home of the Earl of Crawford and Bulcarre's at Haigh Hall, Wigan The pews were placed in the church in 1862 and the church re-roofed in 1872.

The Palindromic stone.

Carved on it is the famous palindromic square-word which reads the same both ways across, up and down.
SATOR
AREPO
TENET
OPERA
ROTAS
The stone is often referred to as a Druid Stone.
Above the inscription is a figure, probably representing God the Father, who holds an orb in one hand and a scroll in the other. Underneath is the Crucifixion and on the head of the figure are the letters INR. On the right hand of the figure are the Lion and the Lamb.The stone is deteriorating because of the weather and it is hoped to eventually place it inside the church, next to the chest.

The Pulpit, often referred to as a stem pulpit is almost unique, one other like it is in Westminster Abbey. It is 15th Century.

Pulpit

Chandalier

Lectern

Pulpit

Palindrome Stone