History and Architecture: Links to the Past
 

 

   Christ Church (Douglas Parish Church) is a very ancient ecclesiastical foundation, having historical links right back to the 14th century and a little chapel, known a Douglas Chapel that stood at the foot of Parbold Hill.

The History Trail!
The first clue that points to Christ Church's ancient origins can be found by examining the pulpit. Look closely at the wooden panelling. Do you notice anything significant?

Move your mouse pointer onto the photograph of the pulpit, wait for a while and a zoomed in view of the panelling will appear. You should now see the date (1648) in the top right hand corner. This is when the pulpit was made. Where did it come from? Read on to find out

  
 
 
 

 

                    

To discover where the pulpit came from we must travel southwards from Christ Church, down the hill, across the railway, across the canal and almost up to banks of the River Douglas. Eventually, amongst a cluster of stone buildings, a cross will be seen. (As shown on the right.)

The cross marks the spot where the old Douglas Chapel stood. You can move your pointer over the photograph to gain a closer look at the inscription which reads: "Here stood old Douglas Chapel for four full centuries loved and thronged by those who worshipped God from all the country round. Existed 1526. Rebuilt 1821. Demolished 1875. The Holy Table, Font and Pulpit are still preserved in Douglas Parish Church. This Cross carved from the Old Threshold stone was erected July, 1906. Your Fathers ! Where are They?"

Douglas Parish Church is, of course, Christ Church Douglas-in-Parbold. A ceremony to reflect the links with the Old Chapel and unveil the 'Memorial Cross was carried out at Christ Church in July, 1906.

N.B. Although the inscription on the cross records that the chapel was demolished in 1875, it has been suggested that it was only the dismantling of the interior that took place in 1875. This is supported by a reference in a history of the Leyland Hundred, which states that the building was not taken down until 1878.

 

The History Trail!
There are many scenic walks leading to and from the memorial cross. You might find it interesting to seek it out.

Click on a star below for a map that pin-points the position of the cross and shows the parish walks.The first map will load slowly on dial up computers. The compressed map will load quicker but isn't quite as crisply focused.

Map, max resolution

Map compressed

  
         
 

The History Trail!

Can you find the old puritan font that is mentioned on the cross.

Note the small bowl. The design was intended to prevent babies from being placed inside it.
Some historians may regret the loss of an interesting and historical building, but when the Douglas Chapel was dismantled virtually nothing from it was wasted.

The old pews and timber taken from inside the chapel were sold by auction. The stones from the Chapel's walls and windows were used to build a new school, adjacent to Christ Church. This school, like the church, was built due to the generosity of Miss Ellen A. R. Morris. It opened on July 21st, 1879 with 22 pupils, aged between 4 and 9 years, half of whom had never before attended any school.

(Today the school is used as a nursery during the week and by the Sunday school on Sundays.)

  
 

All items considered worth keeping, such as the Holy Table, font and pulpit mentioned on the cross, were taken to Christ Church. Other items transferred to Christ Church were:

  • A silver alms dish and two chalices inscribed, ' The gift of Eleanor, Daughter of Nicholas Rigbye, Esq., of Harrock. Douglas Chappell 1749.'
  • A large silver flagon presented by the Rev. W. Yates, Rector of Eccleston, in 1840.
  • The newer font donated by the Price family.
  • Some wooden reredos, a table and a.chair.
  
 

On the left is a photograph of the font, donated by the Price family, which is the font currently used at Christ Church for baptisms.

Unfortunately the Holy Table that was transferred from the Douglas Chapel has been stolen and can no longer be seen in church. Seven years ago, a thief or thieves, attracted by its ancient history, seized it in what appears to have been a planned raid. A photograph of it can be seen at the bottom of the page about the Douglas Chapel which can be reached by clicking 'Next Page' below.