St Andrew's Church, Leyland

Historically, the ecclesiastical parish of Leyland was large and encompassed the townships of Leyland, Euxton, Cuerden, Clayton-le-Woods, Whittle-le-Woods, Hoghton, Withnell, Wheelton, and Heapey. There was likely a Norman church on the site of the present structure. In the 12th century, Warine Bussel, baron of Penwortham, gave the church to Evesham Abbey in Worcestershire. From the 14th century, vicars were appointed to Leyland church by the abbey. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, the advowson for the church (the right to nominate a priest) was transferred to John Fleetwood of Penwortham. The chancel was built in the 14th century and the tower probably…

The inside of the tower measures 16 ft square. The floor is lower than that of the nave and there are five steps through a tall arch that has chamfered orders. Internally, the nave measures 73 ft by 52 ft. There are three galleries. In the southeast corner, there is a chapel. The chancel measures 39 ft by 18 ft internally. It is accessed from the nave through a moulded arch with circular piers. There are Perpendicular-style triple sedilia (seats) in the south wall of the chancel, under semi-circular arches. They have moulded labels and next to them is a piscina (basin) with two bowls under a similar arch. Stained glass in the church includes work by Clayton and Bell and Harry Stammers.…