Catholic Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Detached seven-bay double-height Catholic church, built 1877-9; dated 1879; dedicated 1879, on a cruciform plan comprising five-bay double-height nave opening into single-bay (single-bay deep) double-height transepts centred on single-bay double-height chancel to crossing (south); single-bay four-stage tower (north-west) on a square plan supporting octagonal spire. Renovated, 1970, with sanctuary reordered. Pitched slate roof on a cruciform plan with clay ridge tiles, dragged cut-limestone coping to gables with Celtic Cross finials to apexes, and cast-iron rainwater goods on timber eaves boards on exposed timber rafters retaining cast-iron square profile downpipes. Part repointed tuck pointed snecked rock faced sandstone walls on battered base with drag edged tooled cut-limestone buttresses to corners having drag edged tooled cut-limestone "slated" coping. Lancet window openings with drag edged tooled cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass roundels. Paired lancet window openings (transepts) with octafoil "Rose Windows" (gables), drag edged tooled cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass "lozenges". Lancet "Trinity Window" (south) with dragged cut-limestone mullions, and drag edged tooled cut-limestone block-and-start surround having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having leaded stained glass panels. Pointed-arch door opening to entrance (north) front with two dragged cut-limestone steps, and drag edged tooled cut-limestone block-and-start surround having chamfered reveals with hood moulding on nail head-detailed label stops framing diagonal timber boarded double doors. Paired pointed-arch window openings (gable) with dragged cut-limestone Y-mullions, and drag edged tooled cut-limestone block-and-start surrounds having chamfered reveals framing storm glazing over fixed-pane fittings having stained glass margins centred on leaded stained glass panels. Interior including vestibule (north) with encaustic tiled floor; square-headed door opening into nave with glazed timber panelled double doors having sidelights on panelled risers below overlight; full-height interior with quatrefoil-perforated timber panelled organ gallery (north) on a half-octagonal plan supporting timber panelled pipe organ centred on pair of stained glass memorial windows (----), encaustic tiled central aisle between replacement timber pews, Gothic-style timber stations between stained glass memorial windows (----), pointed-arch arcades on limestone ashlar pillars on octagonal plinths, pointed-arch vaulted ceiling with panelled plasterwork ribs on angel corbels, cut-veined white marble Gothic-style baptismal font on a chamfered square plan with cut-veined white marble Gothic-style pulpit on a chamfered square plan, pointed-arch chancel arch framing mosaic tiled cut-veined white marble stepped dais to sanctuary to crossing (south) reordered, 1970, with stepped "predella" supporting Gothic-style reredos below stained glass memorial "Trinity Window" (----), mosaic tiled cut-veined white marble stepped daises to side altars with Gothic-style altars below stained glass octafoil "Rose Windows" in mosaic tiled surrounds, and Gothic-style timber panelled confessional boxes (transepts) with paired stained glass memorial windows (----) below stained glass octafoil "Rose Windows". Set in landscaped grounds on a slightly elevated site with cruciform-detailed chamfered piers to perimeter having gabled capping.