St Mary and All Saints Church, Whalley focusing on 'The Organ in Life's Journey'
Church Lane, Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9SY
The Heritage Open Day will focus on the Church Organ which was built by Gerard Smith in 1727. It has been improved four times since its move. In 1972 it was rebuilt by George Sixsmith and Sons when the console was moved from the gallery to the nave. The casing is a thing of beauty in the gallery, with the two Reclining Heralds appearing to rest on the pipework.
Our Organist will be playing at various times during the day and using music for the various themes of Life's Journeys.
*The special occasions - baptism, first communion, confirmation, marriage, death.
*The year from New Year to Christmas.
*The National and Local Occasions.
*Plus other Voluntaries and well loved music.
There will be more technical information about the pipes, stops and pedals available on the day.
The Church and Churchyard are well worth a visit and there are visitors guides for the church, the misericords, the bells, the stained glass and the churchyard.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 14 September:
- 10.00 - 16.00
Location & directions
Church Lane, Whalley, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 9SY
- Directions:
- Whalley is 3 miles from Clitheroe. Postcode BB7 9SY. BY CAR 1. Leave the A59 Clitheroe By Pass at Langho or Barrow and travel into King Street, Whalley. 2. Leave the Burnley /Clitheroe Road A671 at the traffic Lights signed to Whalley. The Buses from Blackburn, Preston and Burnley come into King Street, Whalley. The Railway Station is off Station Road follow the Railway Arches down Broad Lane. WALKING Church Lane leads off King Street between Whalley Wine Shop and The DeLacy Inn. Broad Lane leads to The Sands. Walk under Whalley Abbey East Gatehouse, past English Martyrs RC Church, the Lay Brothers Dormitory and the entrance to Whalley Abbey then follow the path around the front of the school to the church. Alternative from Rail. Turn left on Station Road and then right at the War memorial onto King Street. The Church is behind the Dog Inn.
- Contact on day:
- Dorothy Borland
- Telephone number:
- +447900472594
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
Access to the Nave is level. There are two steps up to the Chancel. The organ consul is in the Nave and will be available for viewing. Most of the Churchyard paths are paved but the grave stones are in a grass area. There is 2 hours free parking on King Street and disabled parking in front of Whalley Wine Shop. Some of the pavements on Church Lane are uneven. All entrances into the Churchyard are level except for the East Gate (behind The Dog Inn) which has steps. Disabled Parking is available at The Co-op in the centre if the village.
Additional information
The Church is used for services and it is open most days between 10am and 4pm for visitors. This year we are focusing Heritage Open Day on the Historic Pipe Organ and it will be played at various times during the day. George Smithsmith and Sons maintain the organ and they will be responsible for installing the new bellows. The present ones have been used for nearly 100 years. Come and see the Roman Inscription, stone coffins, Priests door, Catterall Brass, Paslew Tombstone, Roman Altar, "Christ in the Garden" by James Northcote, Burne Jones and Morris & Co windows and enjoy a cup of tea.
