St Mark
Newtown, Lancashire
Pevsner found it 'impressive, undeniably and certainly an ambitious building to put up'. Designed by architect JS Brocklesbury, the original design for the church was similar to Sacred heart, Tunstall but following discussions with Canon O'Meara, parish priest at the time, coupled with a holiday in France, the plans and design were adapted and a truly beautiful building reminiscent of the Cathedral of St Front in Perigueux was erected.
The foundation stone for the church was laid, on the site of the old church on September 13th 1925 and was formally opened in 1930.
Like its predecessor, the church stands in wooded grounds and is built like the majority of Brocklesbury’s churches in the medieval manner.
It is said to be the only church of its kind north of the River Loire. Domes were never used in medieval English church building but in France south of the River Loire there still exist many such churches. This style of architecture is known as French Romanesque and is placed between the Classical and Gothic periods, around 1050-1200, with massive vaulting and round arches.
The church was constructed during the time of the Great Depression and many men were out of work. The building of the church gave much needed employment and the project became very much a community project. The entrance gates are from the original church that stood on the site. As you progress up the drive it is difficult not to be awed and inspired by the building’s magnificence.
Gazing down from the roof is a statue of St. Oswald. On his right is a turret of pointed stones similar to those of Notre Dame-la-Grande in Poitiers. On his left is the copper crowned bell tower. The whole facade is reminiscent of the beauty and grace of the French Romanesque churches of the Loire and this continues as you travel inside the walls.