Interior of the Church building

The Building consists of a tower, nave and two side aisles with the single - storey, flat roofed Vicar's vestry in the corner created by the north side of the tower and the west end of the nave. On the other side of the tower, and symmetrically placed, is the toilets/utility room. At the north - east corner of the building is the Choir vestry. This is the only part of the building which is not part of the original design, having been added in 1911.

The nave is 99 feet long, on the east end of which is a recess 7 feet deep to accommodate the altar, giving a total length of 106 feet. The nave is 45 feet wide and no less than 50 feet high. Each side aisle is 99 feet long and 11 feet wide, with a height to the ceiling above the two side galleries of 26 feet. Between the nave and each side aisle are seven elegant arches, supported on clustered columns 14 feet high, the total height to the top of each arch being 25 feet. The total width of the interior of the Church is therefore 67 feet, and the total internal volume of the nave and side aisles, plus galleries, is some 200,000 cubic feet.

The front of each gallery is divided into narrow quatrefoil headed panels. It gains in beauty by being thrown back from the line of arches of the nave and by being supported along the front edge by light cast-iron pillars and cusped, segmented arches, ornamented with double quatrefoil feathering, and having in each spandril one quatrefoil and two trefoil openings. These cast -iron arcades (which help to maximise the seating capacity) and the setting back of the gallery fronts are like those in the Preston St Peterxs Church, which, as already noted, is also a Rickman church and built at the same time. Both illustrate Rickman's penchant for the use of novel materials.

The Baptistry (1)
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This contains a font of white marble which is based on a design by the great Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen. One of Thorvaldsen's originals stands in Copenhagenxs Cathedral Church of Our Lady, and the other identical copy is in the magnificent museum dedicated to Thorvaldsen's work, also in Copenhagen. Intriguingly, these works were executed in 1825, the year in which St George's was dedicated. We are indebted to the staff of Thorvaldsen's Museum for confirming that other variants of his design, entitled Angel Kneeling with Baptismal Font, are to be found in Christ Church Blacklands, Hastings, St John's Church Barmouth, Wales, St Andrews Cathedral Inverness, St Giles in Edinburgh and that a copy in St Clement Danexs, London was destroyed. St George's has a more youthful face than the originals and it is believed that the local monumental mason who produced it, Thomas Rawcliffe, used his young daughter as a model. The font was given in memory of Alderman Thomas Whittle and Mrs Whittle, being completed in 1893. The dedication and first baptisms were at evensong on April 30 of that year, the children baptised being Henry Higgins of Moor Street and Emily Clough of Friday Street. In the baptistry , in dark stained glass is the inscription TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF HER PARENTS RICHARD AND MARY ANYON HER BROTHER LAWRENCE AND HER SISTER SARAH ANNE THIS WINDOW WAS ERECTED BY MARY ANYON WHO DIED AD 1901.

The pulpit (2)
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Prior to 1892, when a number of alterations were made to the internal layout, the pulpit was made of wood and stood in the middle of the chancel steps which at that time were nearer the altar. At this time the east wall was covered in dark wood panelling and many of the pews in the nave were of the xboxx type. In 1892 the panelling was removed, the box pews used to form the wainscoating round the walls of the Church (being replaced by the present oak benches) and the pulpit replaced by one made of stone (Welsh freestonex). This was positioned to the north side of the chancel steps with steps mounting from the right, as viewed from the nave. In the alterations of 1958 the pulpit was lowered by some three feet, with the steps rising from the left. In 1958 the sanctuary and chancel were extended, so that the pulpit now stands forward of its earlier position, and the north chapel was created. The organ console and choir were also relocated at this time, and the chapel on the north side created.

The organ (3)

The organ now seen to the south side of the chancel is not the Church's first. The original organ was installed in 1837 and was located in the west gallery. Little is known about it other than the Parish Magazine of 1863 records that since its installation, the organ had been raised by eighteen inches and thrown back by some three feet to allow space for another row of choristers seats. The article goes on to note that the organ was in the best position for appearance but for transmission of sound it stands too high. An article which appeared in the local press in 1881 stated that "the mechanism was bad and the pipes , which were of almost pure lead, would not stay in tune and began to "fall out"".

The replacement was installed by Jardine & Co. of Manchester. The contract provided for a completely new manual and pedal organ to be placed behind the old organ case, built to the design of the then organist of the Church, Alderman A G. Leigh. It was completed in July 1881. There is evidence that the old organ case was "late Samuel Renn". The organ-building firm of Renn and Boston was very active in the North of England, Lancashire and Yorkshire especially, at that time and it has been discovered that Samuel Renns records contain the entry, Chorley Parish Chapel, 1837. The firm of Renn and Boston eventually became Jardine and Company.

When extensive modifications to the interior of the Church were undertaken in 1891 / 1892 the decision was taken to remove the organ to its present position , the chancel being formed as part of the alterations together with the provision of the choir stalls. The cost of relocating the organ was £211.11s and the opening recital was given by the organist of Manchester cathedral, J Kendrick Pyne on 27 February 1892.

In 1934 the tracker action was removed and an electric blower was installed, to replace the old water -pressure apparatus. No alterations were made to the tonal scheme at this time and the brochure for the re-opening concert, given by Paul Rochard of Lancaster Priory, records that the organ then contained 2042 pipes. In 1951 a modest overhaul was carried out to xkeep it goingx for a period of some ten years after which it was hoped to install a new action and make improvements in the tonal scheme. It was 1968 before this ambition was to be realised. In major alterations by John Cowin Ltd of Liverpool, working in collaboration with the then organist and choirmaster Mr J A H Dickinson the organ was considerably enlarged. Much of the additional pipework was taken from a magnificent four manual organ built in 1894 by William Hill, a giant among organ builders. The result is that the organ now contains 3189 pipes with 79 drawstops. At this time the console was detached from the rest of the instrument and a new one located at the rear of the pulpit, from where the organist can hear the instrument more effectively. An interesting result of the Cowin Dickinson collaboration is that while the organ now has four divisions it has but three manuals with the fourth division playable on any of the three manuals. Dedication of the re-built organ was by the Bishop of Burnley, Rt Rev G Holderness, on 1 February 1968 when a recital was given by Dr Francis Jackson, Organist and Master of Choristers, York Minster.

In 1991, due to damage to the Great Organ and Swell Organ sound boards caused by malfunctioning of the churchxs heating system, further re-building and cleaning work was undertaken by David Wells Organ Builders of Liverpool. In this, the console was modernised, with micro-electronic controls installed and with the simplification of future maintenance ensured. (The errant heating control system has also been computerised ). The re-opening recital following this work was by Professor lan Tracey, Organist and Master of Choristers of Liverpool Cathedral, on 6 November 1991. St Georgexs is fortunate in having a very fine instrument which is suitable for organ works of any period or type.

Window (4)

The East Window of the Church consists of five lancets with heights ranging from 20 to 25 feet. They have a label moulding with faces on the corbel heads. One of these faces is seen to be wearing a cap of the type worn by stonemasons at the time of the churchxs construction. It is probable that this is a practical joke by the workmen and may well be a representation of their foreman. The visitor is left to detect which of the faces is in question for him or herself!

The window depicts various scenes from Christ's life on Earth and bears the inscription; "TO THE GLORY OF GOD, GIVEN BY MARY JANE BARTON A D 1875 THE JUBILEE YEAR OF THE CONSECRATION OF THIS CHURCH AND THE 25TH OF THE PASTORATE OF THE REVEREND JOHN STOCK MA". On the south side of the chancel above the organ pipes is a clerestory window containing a picture of The Good Shepherd and the inscription "IN MEMORY OF ALEXANDER HEALD WHO DIED JANUARY 1st 1877". Above the north chapel, on the opposite side of the chancel, are two windows, one of which bears the title "ONE THING IS NEEDFUL" and "IN MEMORY OF CHARLOTTE HEALD WIFE OF ALEXANDER HEALD AND MOTHER OF THOMAS HEALD ENTERED INTO REST JANUARY 21st 1914". The other has the name DORCAS under it and "IN MEMORY OF SARAH AGNES (CISSIE) WIFE OF THOMAS HEALD ENTERED INTO REST AUGUST 16th 1920". Beneath the latter windows are memorial plaques to members of the Hibbert family, notable benefactors of the church.

The lectern (5)

This is a further memorial to the ministry at St Georgexs of its first vicar, John Stock. After many years of dedicated polishing, the inscription on the base is barely visible. It records his thirty-eight years as curate and vicar .

The Chandeliers (6)

These are a relatively recent addition, having been installed in 1977. Originating from the Parish Church of Ulverston in Cumbria, they appear to have languished for some time at Standish. Originally gas powered, they were cleaned and converted to electric lighting for installation at St Georges. Top of Page

West Gallery Window (7)

At the western end of the nave and to the rear of the gallery is a fine window which, being best observed from the sanctuary, often goes unnoticed by members of the congregation and visitors. It is seen at its best when illuminated from behind by the setting sun. The window is set in wooden tracery and depicts the Easter Tomb. Beneath this scene are the words "CORONA VICTRIX" and "WHY SEEK YE THE LIVING AMONG THE DEAD, HE IS NOT HERE, HE IS RISEN".

The Church bells 8

A marble plaque in the inner entrance hall pays tribute to those from St George's Church who died in the First World War, the bells being installed as their memorial. The smaller plaque on the opposite wall relates to the gift of the Tenor Bell, given in memory of Captain Hibbert who also lost his life in the Great War.

These ten bells are unusual and are not traditional. Installed in 1919, they are Ellacombe chimes by Mears and Stainbank. The bells are hemispherical in shape and are mounted co-axially on a horizontal shaft. The bells are sounded by being struck by hammers using a series of ropes fitted into a framework which is in the Tower Room. The heaviest bell is called the Tenor and the lightest one is the Treble.

As a chime, they can readily be used to produce tunes, thus unabling inexperienced campanologists and young children to ring out hymns, both traditional and modern, and peals. Link with Bell Ringers. The provision of the Tenor Bell by the Hibbert family also serves to remind us of the connection between St George's and the young Captain Hibberts famous father, Sir Henery Hibbert Bt, M.P.

Sir Henry was a native of Chorley who, overcoming a crippling condition as a child, became a national figure in the commercial world and a leading education reformist. He was knighted in 1903 and made a baronet in 1919, when the freedom of the City of London was conferred upon him. He later became Member of Parliament for Chorley. As Chairman of Lancashire Education Committee for no less than nineteen years, he was a strong advocate of technical education, and secured for Chorley the Technical Institution Building, now the town's Central Library in Union Street. From 1905 this building housed the Chorley Grammar School, previously located in the grounds of St Laurences and then in Queens Road, until the opening of its final building, now Parklands High School, in 1961.

The Church Clock 10

A further lasting memorial is commemorated in another plaque which can be seen in the inner entrance hall. This is the Tower Clock, installed in 1920 at a cost of £200 and given by John William and Maude Gillibrand Rigby in memory of their son William Geoffrey Morris Rigby lost at the battle of the Somme 1916. This clock is still wound by hand on a weekly basis. A handle is used to wind up the clock mechanism which takes 60 turns, the quarter, half hour and three quarters of an hour chimes take 120, and the hour chimes take another 120, thus bringing the total number of turns to 300. The clock will run for 10 days on one winding before stopping. The clock is serviced once a year by a clock specialist company.

Engraved glass doors (11)

Depicting St George and the dragon, these engravings were executed by artist Garth Edwards in 1973. When one panel was smashed in an act of vandalism in 1998 it was fortunate that Mr Edwards was able to produce a replacement.

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