OA Library

St Wilfrid's Parish Church, Ribchester, Lancashire. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Visual Inspection.

Tonks, David and Elsworth, Dan (2004) St Wilfrid's Parish Church, Ribchester, Lancashire. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment and Visual Inspection. [Client Report] (Unpublished)

[thumbnail of StWilfrids_FullRep_Nov2004.pdf]
Preview
PDF
StWilfrids_FullRep_Nov2004.pdf

Download (5MB) | Preview

Abstract

IWA Architects have been required by English Heritage to conduct an archaeological building investigation of St Wilfrid’s Parish Church, Ribchester, Lancashire, (NGR
SD 69964 35038) prior to extensive renovations being carried out at the site. The works comprised a desk-based assessment complemented by a visual inspection of the church. Following submission of a project design, OA North was commissioned to
undertake the work, which was carried out in July 2004.
The desk-based assessment determined that the present church is built in the southwest corner of the site of the Roman fort of Bremetennacum, from which Ribchester ultimately derives its name; being a contraction of “Ribble castra” meaning Roman camp on the Ribble. There is no secure evidence for a Christian presence at the fort during the Roman period, but Celtic Christian missionaries are thought to have preached in this part of Lancashire in the seventh century AD. In addition, fragments of Anglian crosses have been found within the churchyard. It has, therefore, been
conjectured that an Anglian church was established on the site prior to the present church. The first historic record of a church is in AD1200, a date which corresponds with the core architecture of the Nave and Chancel. The church was subsequently expanded in the forthcoming centuries with the addition of the West Tower, a porch, two chantrys and finally a Vestry added in 1881. It is presently a Grade I listed building.

Item Type: Client Report
Subjects: Geographical Areas > English Counties > Lancashire
Period > UK Periods > Early Medieval 410 - 1066 AD
Period > UK Periods > Medieval 1066 - 1540 AD
Period > UK Periods > Post Medieval 1540 - 1901 AD
Divisions: Oxford Archaeology North
Depositing User: Watson
Date Deposited: 30 May 2019 09:41
Last Modified: 25 May 2023 09:19
URI: http://eprints.oxfordarchaeology.com/id/eprint/4860

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item