Church of St Mary and All Saints, Whalley

A church probably existed on this site in Anglo-Saxon times; there are three well-preserved Anglo-Saxon crosses in the churchyard, as well as fragments from that time in the exterior walls of the current building. The "Church of St Mary held in Wallei" was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. Most of the present church was built in the 13th century, replacing a simpler structure which likely had an aisleless nave and chancel. The tower was added in the late 15th century. A porch was added to the south of the building in 1844, and one to the north in 1909. Restorations took place in 1866 and 1868.

The south porch was added in 1844 but the doorway into the church contains parts of the pillars from the Norman church of the 11th century. The octagonal font of yellow gritstone dates from the 15th century while the oak cover 17th century. On the north aisle is a churchwarden's pew, which seats eight, dating from 1690, then a constables' pew, benches dated 1638, a rectory pew of 1702 and then St. Anton's Cage (see below). At the east end of the north aisle there is a chantry chapel dedicated to St Nicholas, also known as the Soldiers' Chapel. It contains evidence of a stair to a rood loft, the likely remnants of a piscina and a Medieval altar stone. The organ, dating from 1727, was…