St. WALBURGE's PRESTON

The picture below is of part of Preston, and was taken from the new bridge over the river Ribble looking towards the north. The church is St. Walburge's Catholic church (another view on the right), built 1853, it was designed by Preston architect J. A. Hansom, of Hansom cab fame. The 309 feet 6 inches (94.336 metres) high spire was completed in 1866 and is the towns most noticeable landmark. It owes much to the Gothic style of French 13th century architecture. Victorian ingenuity utilised redundant limestone railway sleepers for the base of the tower, with newer stone allocated to the remainder. The interior of the church has a superb hammer beam roof, which resembles that of a great medieval hall.. Click here to view old photo.

Taken June 2000

Taken August 1997

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