Donating to St Laurence's
Please help us make a difference
Help repair our tower and west windows
St Laurence's stained glass windows are an important element in creating a unique atmosphere and sense of mystery; their original purpose was to act as visual aids for preachers addressing semi-literate congregations, illustrating Bible stories and providing prompts for sermons. By way of contrast, clear glass ensures that interiors remain light and airy in contrast with the oppressive gloom of some continental counterparts. The mix of stained glass and clear glass is an essential feature of English Parish Churches and our Church boasts a remarkable range of glass from different periods and in different styles. The glass is an important asset in Chorley’s cultural heritage and needs to be looked after.
TOWER WINDOW. The Belfry is on the first floor of the Tower looking out over Park Road towards the Town Hall. The window with four lancet lights was designed by Henry Hughes in 1890 and include a notable depiction of the Virgin and Child in soft yellow colours. The inner lancets were rebuilt in 1998 but the outer pair are bowed and leaking and need to be replaced. The rainwater dripping on to the interior of the window is gradually eroding the images so the clear definition and vibrancy of the colour is in danger of being lost.
WEST WINDOW This window with five lancets is fitted with diamond leaded clear glass with smaller glass panels between the elaborate tracery at the head. It has great character and is an important source of light for the Church. Metal dowels in the stone have corroded and the tracery is cracking and joints coming apart; if the window is to be preserved in its present form the tracery must be removed and rebuilt using new stone and stainless-steel pins.
Estimated cost for refurbishment of the tower window is £8,000 and for the west window £25,000
By supporting this appeal for crowdfunding you can make an important contribution to the window repairs.
TOWER WINDOW. The Belfry is on the first floor of the Tower looking out over Park Road towards the Town Hall. The window with four lancet lights was designed by Henry Hughes in 1890 and include a notable depiction of the Virgin and Child in soft yellow colours. The inner lancets were rebuilt in 1998 but the outer pair are bowed and leaking and need to be replaced. The rainwater dripping on to the interior of the window is gradually eroding the images so the clear definition and vibrancy of the colour is in danger of being lost.
WEST WINDOW This window with five lancets is fitted with diamond leaded clear glass with smaller glass panels between the elaborate tracery at the head. It has great character and is an important source of light for the Church. Metal dowels in the stone have corroded and the tracery is cracking and joints coming apart; if the window is to be preserved in its present form the tracery must be removed and rebuilt using new stone and stainless-steel pins.
Estimated cost for refurbishment of the tower window is £8,000 and for the west window £25,000
By supporting this appeal for crowdfunding you can make an important contribution to the window repairs.
Help repair our organ
THE CHURCH ORGAN was built in 1872 by Forster and Andrews of Hull and is used for concerts and organ recitals as well as for regular worship, it has three manuals and pedals with 40 speaking stops Rebuilds were carried out in 1952 and 1990 and the organ now needs a refurbishment to replace worn out parts and improve the quality of sound and performance. Necessary work includes replacing the secondary action and re-leathering the bellows. This will enable the Church to achieve its ambition of becoming a local centre for musical excellence, building on the existing program of regular Light Classic Concerts. Prior to the refurbishment the lead covering the roof of the organ loft needs repairing to prevent rainwater leaking through and damaging the organ.
The estimated cost of repairs to the roof is £9,000 and the refurbishment £18,000; replacing the organ with one of equivalent size would cost over £1 million!
By supporting this appeal for crowdfunding you can make an important contribution to the organ project.
The estimated cost of repairs to the roof is £9,000 and the refurbishment £18,000; replacing the organ with one of equivalent size would cost over £1 million!
By supporting this appeal for crowdfunding you can make an important contribution to the organ project.