Church of St Wilfrid, Standish, Anglican parish church in Standish, England
The Church of St Wilfrid is an Anglican parish church in Standish, Wigan, built in the Gothic style from dark grey ashlar stone, with a tall tower topped by a slender spire. Inside, the building has a nave, side aisles and a chancel, all covered by a ceiling decorated with carved stone bosses.
The church dates back to the medieval period, but the building seen today was largely reconstructed between 1582 and 1584 under the direction of architect Lawrence Shipway. That rebuilding kept the Gothic framework while weaving in some features then coming into fashion from the Renaissance.
Inside, four funeral hatchments from the Standish family hang on the walls, each painted with a coat of arms. These shields show the family ties and social standing of people who once shaped life in this part of Lancashire.
The church sits in the center of Standish and is easy to reach on foot from the main street. It is worth checking opening times before visiting, as they can vary depending on the day and the season.
The Tudor ceiling above the nave is covered with carved stone bosses, each bearing a different pattern. They are easy to miss at first glance, but looking up carefully reveals a ceiling where no two ornaments are the same.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
