Major Repairs now completed at Historic Croston with Lottery Fund grant

December 2017 – St Michael & All Angels Church in Croston is now back in full operation after the completion of a scheme of major repairs to the roof and floors of this historic parish church. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the project set out to eradicate death watch beetle that had badly affected roof timbers and replace damaged & compromised timber in the roof and floors throughout the church. Work started on 5^th June and was completed by 17^th November 2017.

The church also completed improvements to make the church more accessible to visitor and to allow it to be used for a wider range of services and other events. Throughout 2018, there will be a programme of music, arts and other events in and around the church. In addition, the church will normally be open on Bank Holidays and the last Sunday afternoon of each month for visitors when guided tours will be available to inform visitors about the history of the church.

There has been a church in the centre of Croston for over 1000 years and parts of the current Church dates back to 1230, although most of the building dates from the 15th century. The Church is located within a conservation area and surrounded by attractive gardens, woods and open space and is the focus for many community activities throughout the year including the annual “Coffee Day” Walk of Witness, Christmas Fair, Craft Markets and Remembrance Day commemorations. Croston is one of the most picturesque and photographed small villages in Lancashire, attracting large numbers of visitors throughout the year.

Normal services are on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and on Sundays at 9.15 a.m.

Church Warden Andrew Marston said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has enabled us to complete this major project. The Church has been very much at the heart of our village community for centuries and it’s great to know that it is now preserved for future generations. It also now gives us the opportunity to open it up more to schools and other visitors to learn more about our church and its history, as well as for the benefit of our community”

Our restoration is moving along!

October 2017 – Our Restoration work is progressing well and we hope to have completed by early November.
We are planning a celebration weekend in late November when the Church will reopen and you can come and look at the restored and refurbished church.
More details to follow soon.

North and South aisle ceiling repairs—proceeding

: Completed timber and ceiling repairs to South aisle—looking West, prior to cleaning and decorating.

: New lath and plastered ceiling panel (South aisle) to be sanded and decorated.

: North aisle looking West—repairs proceeding

: Ceiling repairs to North aisle—New chestnut laths to ceiling. New oak cornice

: Timber repairs

South aisle ceiling repairs—proceeding

: New timber ceiling joists

: New ceiling joists with new chestnut laths prior to plastering

: New oak cornice

: New laths

Nave floor repairs—proceeding

: View looking East—new timber joists

: Central aisle-new timber joists

: South aisle

: Joists laid on dpc over earlier walkway (stone flags)

South Porch alterations to form new WC—proceeding

: Blocking of external opening

: New partition wall with insulation and electrical wiring

: New partition wall with insulation and electrical wiring

(9th / 10th September 2017).

The church will be open 1 – 5 on Saturday and Sunday but only as far as the door way.
We will have a display of photos of the ongoing work and images of inside of church as normal . We also have copies of the new guide book available and a stall selling books and bric a brac.

Without your support in our fund raising and the major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund we wouldn’t have been able to carry out this vital restoration so please come and take a look.