Church’s listed status joy

St Cuthbert’s Church

Members of a historic Fylde coast church which dates from the early 19th century are celebrating after its buildings were given listed status.

St Cuthbert’s Church in Lytham has had its grounds and walls, parish hall and war memorial Grade II-listed by Historic England.

Paul Drinnan

The status recognises the church’s historical importance to the area and helps to preserve it.

Paul Drinnan, Fylde Council’s regeneration manager, said: “The church and its surroundings are very imposing and I am pleased that the site as a whole has now been recognised as being of architectural and historic significance.

“It is well worth a look. The parish hall, known as Victory Hall, is very grand and features its own small garden containing the war memorial, which is also now listed.

“The grounds also feature a monument to the crew of the St Annes lifeboat Laura Janet who drowned in 1886 in an attempt to rescue the Mexico vessel.

“It is a wonderful collection of buildings that the people of Lytham are rightly proud of.”

As of 2012 there were more than 375,000 listed buildings in England which are classified into three grades.

Grade I buildings are of exceptional interest and make up just 2.5 per cent of all listed buildings.

Grade II star buildings are particularly important buildings of more than special interest, while Grade II buildings are of special interest warranting every effort to preserve them. These make up 92 per cent of all listed buildings in this class.

The church itself is built in a Victorian gothic style.

The plan includes a west tower, a nave with aisles to the north and south, to the east, a chancel and a vestry north of the chancel.

There is a small porch at the west end of the south aisle. The tower houses a ring of eight bells, hung in a wooden frame Its grounds already feature a Grade II-Listed sundial.

The listing was applied for by members of Lytham St Annes Civic Society.

Marion Coupe, civic society chairman, said: “We are delighted to have news of more successful listing applications sent in by LSA Civic Society. Fylde is fortunate to have such fine buildings: Listing them means they will be preserved for future generations to enjoy as well.”