St Wilfrids-on-the-Hill

A chapel was founded in Farnworth in 1180 and dedicated to the Anglo-Saxon Saint Wilfrid. At that time the village was called Wilfrids on the Hill. Founders of the church were the Bold and Baron families.

 

St Wilfrid's was part of the Parish of Prescot, which dates from the 10th century. The church was rededicated to St Luke in 1859, when Farnworth Parish was formed.

 

 

 

The present church contains work from at least the late 12th century. There is a
14th century tower and other work of the 15th and 17th centuries, with 19th century restoration. Two chapels are attached to the church, Bold chapel, founded in the 15th century but rebuilt in the 19th century, and Cuerdley chapel, founded by William Smith, Bishop of Lincoln, in the early 16th century.

 

 

Within the churchyard is a cross, the base and plinth of which are medieval and the cross 19th century*. There are said to have been four further crosses
in the Widnes area (Cuerdley cross, Cronton cross, Simm’s cross and Plumpton’s cross) and possibly a fifth – Whitfield cross. However, only
Cronton cross now survives. The original purpose of the crosses is uncertain;
traditionally they are said to mark the resting places of coffin bearers but they may have identified significant boundaries or been used as wayside preaching crosses.

 

Source:

Cheshire Historic Towns Survey
© Cheshire County Council and English Heritage 2003.

 

 

* The only Scheduled Ancient Monument within the historic core of Widnes is a
Standing Cross in St Luke’s churchyard, Farnworth (SAM 25704; SMR 83/1/1).

 

Read more about St Luke's Church here:

 

http://www.st-luke.co.uk/