Becconsall Old Church, 1764
Becconsall Old Church is a redundant church in the village of Hesketh Bank, Lancashire, England. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade II listed building, and is in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Located down the lane to a large boatyard on the River Douglas, it is a lovely red brick building with a stone slate roof, constructed in 1764 to replace an earlier chantry chapel on this site beside the River Douglas. The church is built to a two-bay plan punctuated by a small sanctuary at the east end. There is no tower, just a west bellcote and entry is through a small west porch.
The simply furnished interior would be flooded with light from its large Georgian windows, but it is very plain, with a small west gallery and tiny chancel. There is a vestry and the bellcote, contains a single bell brought back when the church was repaired after coming into the Churches Conservation Trust's care.
A font, intricately if somewhat crudely carved, was also returned having been rescued during the time that the church lay derelict and forlorn. Two pews, the pulpit, lectern, altar and panelling also survive.
A local resident told me that the church only opens it's doors once a year.The first church here was built in the 16th century, but it was later used as the private chapel of the Becconsall family. For those who are familiar with different styles of brick construction, All Saints uses English garden wall bond.
Paul.
