THE  ANGLICAN CHURCH IN BARNTON

 THE 19th CENTURY

In the early years of the 19th Century, many people in the village, nominally Anglican in persuasion, worshipped with the Methodists, whose services were timed to avoid a clash with those of the established church. However, by 1840, there were many in Barnton who felt that it was high time that the village had its own church. Certainly the rapid increase in population justified such a provision.

The first half of 19th Century saw an upsurge in church building. Acts of Parliament were passed which provided for those centres with large populations to have their own churches. Such an act, passed in 1831, provided the legal framework through which the members of the established church living in Barnton could, subject to certain conditions, provide their own building for worship. The main obstacle to be overcome was that of finance. Through the generosity and practical support of a local clergyman of substance by the name of Richard Greenall, this hurdle was successfully negotiated.

Richard Greenall was born on 11th May 1806, the younger of twin sons of Edward Greenall, a wealthy Warrington brewer. He studied at Brasenose College, Oxford and was later ordained Priest. His mar­riage with Eliza, the daughter of Thomas Lyon, of Appleton Hall, brought him the living of Saint Matthew's Stretton, the patronage being in the gift of his father-in-law. The Greenall's lived in the Vicarage opposite the church. The initials 'RG' could be seen above the door of the 'Old Vicarage' Hotel. Now Park Royal.

Although Richard Greenall was a man of considerable talent and ability, he was content to remain at Stretton until shortly before his death. However, his influence on the Diocese of Chester was significant. He became successively Rural Dean of Great Budworth and Archdeacon of Chester.

Many villages in mid Cheshire had reason to be grateful, not only for his spiritual guidance, but for the liberal manner in which he shared of his material wealth

In 1840 Richard Greenall promised the inhabitants of Barnton that providing the village made a major contribution towards the cost of erecting a church. He in turn would buy the land, endow the church and provide a lump sum to be invested as a repair fund. The offer was too good to turn down. Within a short time the necessary finance was raised by personal contributions, and by grants from the Church Building Societies.

The next question which faced the Anglicans of Barnton was ‘where should we build?' The ideal site would be in the centre of the village, with good access, and of sufficient size to accommodate both church and Parsonage House.

Land satisfying all these criteria was available. Situated on the north side of Ray's Brow Lane was a field called the Long Croft. It commanded an excellent prospect of the Weaver Valley. The owners of the land were a Rochdale family by the name of Entwistle, who had been freeholders in Barnton for several generations.

Agreement was reached for the purchase of half the Long Croft, which was conveyed to Richard Greenall in 1842 for the sum of £30.

The task of preparing a design for the church was placed in the hands of a Lancashire Architect named Edmund Sharpe. He was responsible for the design of Holy Trinity, Castle and the other two Weaver Navigation churches at Winsford and Weston Point. Richard Greenall was himself a Weaver Navigation Trustee, and was therefore familiar with the work of  Sharpe.

On 25th October, 1841, Richard Greenall laid the foundation stone of the new church at Barnton. it should be pointed out that the church was to serve not only the spiritual needs of the township of Barnton, but those of the neighbouring village of Anderton also.

Constructed of Runcorn sandstone in the Early English style of architecture, the building consisted of a Nave and Chancel. At the West End was a double bell cote housing a single bell. The inside of the church was lined with warm red brick. There was seating for 200.

The work took more than six months to complete at a cost of £1,400. On Friday, 7th October, 1842 the church dedicated to our Saviour was consecrated by John Bird Sumner, The Lord Bishop of Chester.

By virtue of the Act of Parliament referred to above, Richard Greenall became Patron of the church. As such he was empowered to appoint the Incumbent, who was not called a Vicar but a Perpetual Curate.

The man chosen to be the first incumbent of Christ Church Barnton was Edward William Burton. He was born in 1813. of Irish parents. At the age of 16 he was admitted to Trinity College, Dublin, where he obtained a BA. He was later ordained Priest and presented to the living at Barnton in 1842.

His wife Margaret was also Irish. The Burtons had five children, all of whom were born in the Parsonage. They were the last children to be born in the house for more than 100 years. Sadly the first two children, both boys, died in infancy. The burial services were conducted by the Rev John Maxwell Wilde, of Holy Trinity, Castle, and the children interred at Great Budworth.

The first two churchwardens were chosen, one from Barnton and the other from Anderton. Either by accident or design, both men were members of the upper social class and reflected the dominant profession of their respective townships. Nathaniel Morrey was the tenant of Big Hey, Barnton's largest farm. Morrey originated from Great Budworth, having moved to Barnton in 1820.

The warden from Anderton was William Jardine, a manager at one of the Township's numerous salt works. He was an astute businessman who accumulated considerable wealth. After his death in 1844, his widow Sarah became one of Barnton's principal landowners.

Two days after the church was consecrated, the first baptisms took place. The infants were:? Thomas, son of Ashton Lightfoot, an agricultural labourer who lived in Smithy Fold. Mary, daughter of Joseph Goodier, a resident of Stretton but of Barnton stock. James, son of James Poole, an agricultural labourer of Leigh's Brow.

Richard Greenall himself performed the Baptisms, after which each child was presented with a silver christening spoon.

Although the church was licensed for marriages in 1843, it was not until 6 years later that the first wedding took place. On this occasion Eliza Jane, daughter of William Jardine married a Liverpool merchant by the name of Joseph Pater.

The church was well attended in the years following its consecration. It is recorded in the 1851 Ecclesiastical Census that two services were held each Sunday. At Morning Prayer the average congregation was 60, whilst at Evensong 120 were present. Those attending evening worship represented 10% of the total population of the village at this time.

Shortly after the erection of the Parsonage House in 1842, Richard Greenall transferred the patronage of the church to the Bishop of Chester, in whom it is invested today.

At this same time, Barnton was created a new Ecclesiastical District, and so became a Parish in its own right. The Rev Burton remained incumbent of the Parish until his resignation in 1864, when the Bishop appointed the Rev John Sheffield. John Sheffield was born in Cumberland. Like Burton he was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. Prior to his coming to Barnton he had been headmaster of Rochdale Grammar School and had served curacies at Blackburn and at Hartford. He was collated as Vicar of Barnton on 25th October, 1864. He had four daughters and a son by his wife Celia, who was of Irish descent,

One of the first problems which confronted John Sheffield as incumbent of Christ Church, Barnton, was the state of the church yard. The original graveyard at the rear and west of the church had become almost completely filled. In his letter to the Church Commissioners he stated 'on my appointment to this Parish ....' I was grieved to find the church yard in such a state that there was scarcely room for a new grave.' The problem was solved by the purchase and consecration of part of the field on the north-west side of the Church.

On 30th November, 1867, the Parishioners of Barnton were saddened by the news of the sudden death of Richard Greenall. The debt of gratitude owed by the people of mid Cheshire to this man was incalculable. The Warrington Guardian, in its obituary column observed that he was 'chiefly distinguished for his quiet arid devoted labour as a Parish Clergyman, and for open?hearted liberality with which he supported every project of the Church of England. His private fortune was spent to advance the interests of our national church: he did much for the building and endowment of churches in those Parishes in which his property was situated.' He was laid to rest in the church yard of his beloved Stretton.

In the year 1873 an event took place which was to have a most profound effect upon Barnton and the surrounding district. A German born Jewish chemist named Ludwig Mond and his business partner John Brunner purchased the Winnington Hall Estate from Lord Stanley of Alderley. On this land was constructed a chemical complex which in three decades developed into one of the foremost industrial establishments in Europe. Brunner Mond brought stability, employment and prosperity to the Weaver Valley. Barnton shared in these benefits to the full.

Some four years after the arrival of Brunner and Mond, having served an incumbency covering a decade, John Sheffield died on 13th March, 1877. In his obituary in the 'Northwich Guardian' it was recorded that he had been in feeble health for some time and had died as a result of congestion of the lungs. His last will and testament make interesting reading. His final request was 'that my body shall be buried in the church yard at Barnton with no shroud and as little ceremony as possible.'  This last request was not complied with. John Sheffield was buried, not in Barnton, but in Hartford, close to the church in which he served his second curacy.

After a very short interregnum, the Rev Samuel Lancaster Laidman was inducted into the living on 21st April 1877. Born in Bootle, he was educated at Durham University and ordained Priest at the age of 24. Before coming to Barnton he served no less than seven curacies, including Stretton and Weaverham. During Laidman's ministry some significant changes were made to the church fabric. A faculty was obtained for the erection of a stone reredos on the east wall. This delightful piece of local craftsmanship was the work of Samuel Wade, a stone mason who had been born in Winnington. Based on Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Last Supper', it was placed in the church as a memorial to Wade's mother.

Major restoration work was carried out in 1888. The interior walls of red brick were covered with cement rendering. It was at this time that the fine Bathstone pulpit was brought to the church. It has an interesting history. Based on the design of that in Nantwich church, the Pulpit was commissioned in 1842 for Saint Helen's, Witton where it remained for 46 years. During the restoration at Witton, the plaster was stripped off the interior walls. Against the red sandstone, the white pulpit looked somewhat incongruous, and was sold to Barnton church for £10. In his book on Cheshire Architecture, Nicholas Pevsner gives the Pulpit a special mention, describing it as 'puginesquely elaborate'.

The Parish magazine was introduced in 1890 and its success in its first year exceeded all expectations. By 1892 no less than 160 Parishioners subscribed to the magazine.

Laidman was not a great pastoral leader. The spiritual life of the church declined during his long incumbency, as did the number of those who attended worship. The Norlhwich Guardian observed that 'through failing health he had been debarred from infusing the necessary amount of energy into his ministerial duties'.  On 12th April, 1897 he died at the age of 87 years. He was laid to rest in the church yard at Weaverham.

His successor at Barnton was Oliver Edmund Rice, a most loved and respected Vicar of the Parish. Born in 1851, the son of a Derbyshire Station Master, he was educated at Lincoln and ordained Priest. Under his pastoral guidance Christ Church grew from strength to strength.

When the building was erected in 1842 the population of the village was 860. By the time that Rice came to Barnton, this figure had increased to 2500. Through his care, devotion and commitment, church attendance increased rapidly. Within two years, the congregation at Evensong completely filled the church. In an almost unbelievable report, the local press stated that those who did not arrive early for evening worship were turned away. The organisations which he encouraged prospered. A men's bible class soon boasted a membership of almost 200. Attendances at Sunday School increased by 300%. The surpliced choir of more than 30 voices occupied the gallery at the rear of the church. Musical accompaniment was provided by a harmonium donated by the Men's Bible Class

It became obvious that future growth would be restricted through lack of space within the church. The decision was therefore taken to extend the building at the east end by enlarging the Nave and Chancel, and to incorporate a new stained glass window, a memorial to the late Samuel Laidman, in the east wall.

After completing the preparatory works, the foundation stone was laid on 12th July, 1899 by Mrs France-Hayhurst of Bostock Hall. The events of that day were faithfully recorded in the Northwich Guardian. The proceedings commenced with a service in the church, which was conducted by the Vicar, The Rev O E Rice, The Rev Canon Holme (Great Budworth) and The Rev H W L Smith (Castle, Northwich). There was a crowded congregation, and a full choir was in attendance. At the conclusion of the service the choir, clergy and congregation adjourned to the site of the extension where the ceremony of stone laying took place

The Vicar called upon Mrs France-Hayhurst to lay the foundation stone, and in so doing presented to her a silver trowel in a plush lined case. It was of  pretty design and beautifully engraved. It bore the inscription 'Christ Church Barnton. 12thJuly 1899. Having accepted the present, Mrs France?Hayhurst performed the ceremony of laying the stone in a graceful manner.

Corner stones were next laid by Mrs H Boddington, Newcastle, Staffordshire, Mrs Tompkinson, Barnton, Miss M Thorpe, Urmston Park and The Vicar on behalf of himself and the Church Wardens. Each lady and gentlemen laying a corner stone was presented with a handsome mallet bearing a silver shield on which was inscribed 'Christ Church, Barnton. 12th July 1899'.

The Vicar thanked each one for the duty they had discharged that day and the assistance they had rendered to the church by laying of those stones.

The work on the extension was carried out mainly by local labour, under the watchful eye of Samuel Wade, who had been appointed Architect and Clerk of Works. It had been necessary to demolish the existing Chancel in order to extend the Nave to provide additional seating capacity. The new Chancel was increased in width to accommodate the choir stalls, and the organ was installed in a chamber built on the south side of the church. The Vicar's Vestry, which had been situated on the north side was removed and the materials used in the construction of the organ chamber. A new altar and altar rails were provided. The amenities of the building were, generally improved with the introduction of gas lighting to replace the old oil lamps. The work on the new Chancel took almost 12 months to complete. On 19th September, 1900 the extension was consecrated by The Rt. Rev. Dr Jayne, Bishop of Chester.

THE 20th CENTURY

Oliver Rice left the village in 1903 to become Vicar of Ellesmere Port; he died there four years later. The Ellesmere Port Pioneer carried this testimony to the late vicar. 'A saintly man, greatly loved by his parishioners'. Gentle and kind, he had a rare pastoral sensitivity. At his funeral many genuine tears were shed.' Such was the love which Oliver Rice had for Barnton that he desired that his body be interred in the village church yard. Unlike that of his predecessor, John Sheffield, his last request was respected.

On 20th April, 1903 The Revd Heber Thomas was inducted as Vicar of Christ Church. He was no stranger to the area, having been at Tarvin from 1892?1897. His incumbency at Barnton lasted 24 years until his death on 8th May, 1927.

The early years of the 20th Century witnessed the beginning of a steady decline in the influence of the church upon the life of the village. The Great Wars of 1914-18 and 1939?45 deeply affected church attendance, which never again reached the levels experienced at the turn of the century, in spite of a considerable growth in the population of the Parish.

However, Christ Church stands today, as it has done for over 160 years, a prominent feature of the Barnton landscape and a memorial to those countless men and women whose love, devotion and commitment, built and preserved this sermon in Stone. Although it overlooks a scene vastly different from that of 1842, the work and witness of the Church remains the same. In an age of change and uncertainty it is, perhaps more, than ever, a foundation for assurance and hope for the future.

 Acknowledgements are due to Rev'd G.H.Buchan for the above Information.