28th October 2026

Grade 1 listed Lancashire church gets development funding to help secure future of building

A Lancashire church has received initial support of more than £600,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for their 'Vision 450' Project.

The project at St Wilfrid’s Church, Standish aims to conserve and restore their Elizabethan ceiling and transform the space of the church for worship and the wider use by the local community and beyond.

Development funding of £614,000 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help St Wilfrid’s Church progress their plans to apply for a full National Lottery Heritage grant of £3.9 million at a later date.

St Wilfrid’s Standish is the only Grade I listed church in Wigan borough, so is an important historical site for the town. It also stands in a conservation area, where the village has retained its independent character and a range of traditional shops.

The beauty and charm of St Wilfrid’s is due to its dignified proportions, the light and lofty clerestory and the successful blending of the late Gothic and Renaissance styles at its rebuilding during the years 1582-1589.

Since that time, the building has providentially escaped the alterations and restorations which many ancient buildings have been through, and it remains one of the most interesting in Lancashire.

The church is first mentioned in 1205 but the vast extent of the ancient parish points to a very early foundation. The 130ft spire is a landmark which can be seen for miles around. The authors of the Buildings of England series describe it as 'one of the most interesting churches in Lancashire' and that 'the church has the finest roof in Lancashire'.

The present church was rebuilt between 1582 and 1584 and designed by Lawrence Shipway in a blended Gothic and Renaissance style. It is the first example in the country of Tuscan architecture. During the 20th Century, Lancaster architects Austin and Paley carried out work on the church, which included adding vestries at the east end in 1913-14 and building a Peace Gate at the entrance to the churchyard in 1926 as a memorial to the soldiers who died in the Great War. The Peace Gate has its own separate Grade II listing.

The church tower is 19th century Gothic, of grey-black ashlar. The spire has an octagonal bell-stage. The remainder of the church is of yellow-black gritstone. The nave and chancel are Elizabethan. The interior of the church has a beautiful Elizabethan oak ceiling to nave, aisles, and chancel, one of the finest of its period in the country.

In the long-term, the project will build the skills of those associated to St Wilfrid’s, to strengthen the network of groups and organisations working together for the benefit of conservation and restoration and raise public awareness of the importance of looking after our heritage.

Rev Canon Andrew Holliday, Rector of St Wilfrid's, Standish said: "We are thrilled to have received this initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and are deeply grateful to National Lottery players for making this possible. This funding marks a significant step forward in our 'Vision 450' project, helping us restore one of the finest Elizabethan church ceilings in the country and safeguard this remarkable heritage for future generations.

"St Wilfrid's has stood at the heart of Standish for centuries. Its historic architecture, including the nationally significant Elizabethan timber ceiling, tells the story of the faith, craftsmanship and community that have shaped this place over hundreds of years.

The development phase will allow us to refine ambitious plans not only to restore and protect this precious heritage, but also to make the church more accessible and adaptable for wider community use.

"We look forward to working with local people, heritage specialists and partners to celebrate the rich history of St Wilfrid's, build understanding of its importance, and create new opportunities for people to engage with, enjoy and care for this unique part of Lancashire's heritage."

Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, commented: "I'm delighted to hear the news that St Wilfrid's has secured this vital funding as part of its 'Vision 450' project. The work the money will go towards will help to preserve an important building, but the project is about so much more than that.

"It is about ensuring that this extraordinary church continues to serve as a living centre of worship, welcome and community life; a place where people can encounter Jesus for generations to come."

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “We’re delighted to support St Wilfrid’s Church with this initial grant to work towards repairing and restoring this significant, centuries-old Grade I listed landmark. Thanks to National Lottery players, this development phase will help progress plans to safeguard the church’s important heritage for future generations.”