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© Mr David H Swain ARPS

IoE Number: 213476
Location: CHURCH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, MARKET STREET (north side)
  ATHERTON, WIGAN, GREATER MANCHESTER
Photographer: Mr David H Swain ARPS
Date Photographed: 14 March 2001
Date listed: 15 July 1966
Date of last amendment: 27 July 1987
Grade II

ATHERTONMARKET STREETSD 60 SE(north side)2/8Church of St John the Baptist(formerly listed as church of

ATHERTON MARKET STREET SD 60 SE (north side) 2/8 Church of St John the Baptist (formerly listed as church of 15/7/66 St John Market Place) G.V. II Church. 1879. By Paley and Austin. Dressed stone, ashlar dressings and clay tile roof. Nave, clerestory and aisles with south-west tower; chancel flanked by side chapel and 2- storey vestry. Gothic Revival in Decorated style. 5-bay nave and 2-bay chancel all under a continuous roof. The aisles have weathered buttresses, 4-light windows with Decorated tracery and hoodmoulds on the south and 3-light flat-headed windows on the north. Square clerestory lights. The chancel has a 6-light transomed window above fleuron motifs in a chequered panel. The buttress to its right includes an enriched statue niche. 2-storey organ chamber and vestry with octagonal corner turret. 7-light west window. Coped gables and eaves parapet. The monumental 4- stage castellated tower stands outside the south aisle. It has octagonal piers at each corner which rise as conically roofed pinnacles, a 4-light window above the door, clock faces on the third stage and 3-light belfry openings below a statue in canopied niche. Interior: clustered columns with moulded capitals and bases support a double-chamfered nave arcade. The whole is faced in ashlar. Hammer-beam roof trusses. Sedilia and piscina. Timberwork includes stalls, pews, organ casing and intricately carved choir screen. Alabaster font and stone pulpit. Stained glass; east window Kempe, 1896. An imposing building which exhibits fine craftsmanship both inside and out.