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 The interior plan is strictly symmetrical. The tower contains a stone staircase to the west gallery, which extends twelve feet from the west wall; originally there were galleries in the aisles and transepts, but these have been removed, with no loss to the form of the building. Above the west gallery is a window of seven lights let into the wall between church and tower. Unusually, this window contains quatrefoil ornamentation as well as the trefoil found elsewhere in the building.

The nave, twenty-four feet wide, is punctuated by four stone pillars of a dark grain, standing at fifteen-feet centres from each other: they are of a quatrefoil plan and consist of four slender shafts attached to a central core, with mouldings in the arches carrying through the same principles. The north and south aisles are each over half the width of the nave, lending an air of spaciousness to the design, and this impression is aided by the two-light clerestory windows above.

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Altar in Holy Trinity Church, 1979
image taken by Adrian Lewis former Curator of Blackburn Museum​

The crossing, transepts and chancel are dignified by their width and height and by the soaring windows at the east end and in the transepts. The crossing is bounded by four clustered shafts which are of course taller than those of the nave arcades and carry arches of larger dimensions but similar mouldings: at the stops of the mouldings are some carved busts, formerly painted in bright colours but now white, as are the plastered walls. There is a doorway in the centre of each transept, and above each is a main window of five lights, capped by its own trefoil. At the east end, above a run of stone arcading topped by nine cinquefoil arches, each with its own gablet, is a further arrangement of seven lights; the land falls away beyond this point, so that the window was not obstructed by the school building that ran eastwards from this wall. The chancel is of two bays with a plain arch set between the two dividing the choir from the sanctuary. The altar is in place with hangings and is fronted by communion rails in the style of gothic arcading, with octagonal posts each side of the centre opening. There are two fonts: the original one in the south transept octagonal with restrained ballflower decoration; the other of a basic design and supported by pillars from St. Lawrence, Morecambe. The pulpit is octagonal, of polished white veined marble, with a cornice of green marble, and is set on a cluster of colonettes with black traceried panels. The organ originated at the Hanover Square Room in London in 1804, but in its present state it is a two-manual instrument built by Gray and Davidson in 1851 but now has electro-pneumatic action. A small number of pipes survive from 1804.

From the western bay of the chancel there are arches, similar to those in the nave, which open into the north chapel and the south organ chamber; and both these areas communicate by similar arches with the transepts. At the time of the centenary celebrations, lettering (presumably of biblical texts) ran above the stringcourse that surmounts the arches and runs the length of the transepts.

The particular glory of the interior is the ceiling of painted heraldic panels that is placed above chancel, crossing transepts and much of the nave. At this stage the vertical gothic style gives way to a flat ceiling that appears to contradict the strict archaeological accuracy of the rest of the building. There can be, however, no doubt that the ceiling was part of the original design: the contemporary lithograph of the exterior displays an exceptionally shallow pitch of roof that would accord with a flat ceiling below; the offices and families represented show significant correspondence with the original subscribers of 1837 and 1838; and the original listing of arms to be displayed also dates from 1837.

A local heraldic expert, Mr. Christopher Ward, has undertaken extensive research on the arms displayed on the panels, and the information given below is taken from his investigations. There are eighty panels, divided from each other by moulded ribs. The largest, the central square at the crossing, gives the royal arms of Queen Victoria, surrounded by the bearings of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and France, and by eight earlier versions of the royal arms (Edward the Confessor, Henry II, Henry III, Edward III, Henry V, James I, George I and George III), although not all rendered with complete accuracy. The three at the east end of the chancel portray the badges of Lancaster, Tudor and York, and the row of four immediately behind show the arms of the contemporary Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishops of Manchester, London and Chester. Another four, placed in corners where the panel is not complete, are imaginary arms with no meaning, and one or two are difficult to interpret. The remainder have all been identified as belonging to local families, many of whom had close connections with the church, and together they offer a fascinating social history of the local dignitaries of the period. Just one or two examples will show the range of contemporary reference.​

Dr. J. W. Whittaker, already mentioned, has his arms displayed at no. 26. He married Mary Houghton, eldest daughter of William Feilden (later baronet) of Feniscowles, and his arms are shown at no. 41. The Feilden’s were one of the principal landowners and cotton manufacturers of Blackburn, at a period when the transition from putting out work to home-based weavers to the creation of large-scale factories was taking place. No. 37 relates to another member of the same family, Joseph Feilden of Witton Park, who was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1818 and M.P. for Blackburn for four years. He married Frances Mary, daughter of the Rev. Streynsham Master, Rector of Croston from 1798 to 1864, whose arms are shown at no. 43. He in turn was the son of Elizabeth Whalley, cousin and heiress of John Whalley, rector of Slaidburn (no. 58). There are coats of arms connected with families or persons at a greater distance: the Parkers of Browsholme and Alkincoates (no’s 25, 42, 54); the Garnetts of Salford and Quernmore (no. 71); the Revd. William Whewell who gave his name to a court at Trinity College, Cambridge (the son of a Lancaster master carpenter) (no. 67), and Colonel le Gendre Nicolas Starkie, D.L, J.P of Huntroyde and Ashton Hall, Lancaster (no. 55). One person could hardly have been more local: John Hargreaves (no. 78) of Larkhill House in Blackburn, was a colonel in the Blackburn Militia and coroner of Blackburn Hundred from 1810 to 1865, as well as being the first town clerk of Blackburn, and he and other members of the family subscribed more than once to the new church.

The Coucher Book of Holy Trinity records that when the first setting of the arms was commissioned, one William Birch was employed. In the 1841 Census he is listed as living, with his wife and five children, at Holme Street, not far from Ainsworth Street, where another painter, Benjamin West, was resident. The second set was ordered from John Brocklehurst of Lord Street, who passed on the work to a Samuel Driver. Some of the panels were taken down and conserved in 1986-9 by Jane Rutherford of Lambourn, Francis W. Downing of Harrogate and Harriet Owen Hughes of Liverpool. They now form the centrepieceof any visit to the church and its surroundings and it is hoped that benefactors will come forward to make possible the conservation of the remaining panels.

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ARMS IN HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, BLACKBURN

Published September 2025

After the school was finished in 1885 Billinge Sunday School was temporarily closed and the children removed to the new premises in August 1885. Mr. Mark Russel was appointed Headmaster. The new school was soon over-crowded and the Billinge school re-opened in 1886 as the Infants department.

Church services were held in the new school on Sundays and events both religious and social took place on week-day evenings.

In the church magazine of 1891 the school is entitled - "St. Silas Mission School, New Bank Road" and then referred to as the School-Church. Rev. Shaw announced, "This School-Church is free and open all who attend the services may be sure of a welcome."  St. Silas Church magazines were begun long before the church appeared, originally the drawing of the single storey day school, seen above, was shown on the front cover. From January 1896 the illustration on the front cover depicted the design for the church with a spire (see below).

St. Silas' School was originally a one storey building but in 1895 it was seen to be too small. A Day School Enlargement Fund was set up. On October 24th 1896 a new wing to the school was opened by Mrs. W. Harrison. Bishop Cramer-Roberts, Vicar of Blackburn before becoming a Bishop, praised the light and airy voluntary school.

Still more space was required and in 1904 a second storey was added. By 1905 Sunday School scholars had reached an amazing 900 on roll and the Vicar, Rev. E. J. Bardsley, cried out for more voluntary teachers. The total cost of the school from 1885 to 1904 was £7000.

During these years the Billinge End School was in full use for various activities. In 1904 its name was changed to the Parish Room.

A large congregation assembled on May 15th 1898 in the Clematis Street School to hear the last sermon by Rev. M. Shaw and "to bid adieu to this humble House of Prayer previous to entering the more commodious and handsome Church."  The School-Church had played a most important role over the last twelve years.

At a meeting of foremost members of the congregation held in Billinge School on May 2nd, 1894 a Building Committee was appointed to carry into effect the long delayed project of a new church. Rev. B. Thompson, Vicar of St. Paul's parish was chairman supported by Rev. M. Shaw.

The site of the church was already secured; 3630 square yards of land, given by R. J. Feilden, situated in St. Paul's parish on the north-east side of Preston New Road.

Messre. Austin and Paley of Lancaster were appointed architects in May 1894 and the plans prepared by them in October 1878 were accepted. These dates indicate the long delay between making plans and building.​

In the document - "Sentence of Consecration" dated July 18th, 1900, it states that the new church contains 620 sittings of which 259 are to be free forever. All sittings for rent had been spoken for months before the church opened. Mr. W. Tattersall had made a special gift of £750 for the seats including cushions. He also donated the church bell.

The wardens' pews and the choir stalls were made from carved oak and the pews for the congregation were of French pine.

As the work neared completion the church grounds were laid out in April 1898 and shrubs requested for the newly made terraces.

By May 1898 all articles required to furnish the interior had been promised. The generosity of a warm and caring community was shown over and over again.

The Bishop of Manchester had dedicated the church and granted a Licence, dated 1898, for performance of Divine Services but there could not be the same opening ceremony as if the church had been consecrated.

Ascension Day, May 19th, 1898, was a happy occasion. The Church was full as the first sermon was preached by the Vicar of St. Paul's, Rev. B. Thompson.

For these important events a surpliced choir, including a few ladies, had been trained by Mr. M. Russel, the headmaster. The trustees were opposed to an elaborate musical service and hoped services would be "plain, hearty and congregational in character."

Baptisms could take place but marriages could not be solemnised until the Church was consecrated and a parish formed. St. Silas' Church was still in the parish of St. Paul.

The magazine of May 1898 indicates that the Church would be consecrated and a separate parish formed when the debt of £2,000 still burdening the church was removed.

In January 1900 in an effort to erase this debt and one of £800 on the day school, a huge bazaar was held in the Exchange Hall opposite the Town Hall. This bazaar, lasting five days, was the culmination of sixteen months work. The profit of £2,150 was used to pay off the school debt and the rest allocated to the Church.

St. Silas' Church was consecrated on July 18th, 1900, by the Lord Bishop of Manchester, the Right Rev. J. Moorhouse. The church was said to be "finished and adorned and furnished" and all Church services could now take place.

The Blackburn Times of July 21st, 1900, states, "There was a large and fashionable congregation and the clergy of Blackburn attended in large numbers."  The Lord Bishop conducted a communion service and after his sermon signed the Sentence of Consecration.

On August 3rd, 1900, Rev. E. J. Bardsley was nominated as minister. He had commenced duties as Vicar-elect in April. Land to form the parish of St. Silas was taken from the parish of St. Mark in December 1900. This whole area had formerly belonged to the parish of St. Paul.

Numerous gifts were accepted with gratitude in the early years. Amongst these were promises of the pulpit, the font, the organ, the communion table and linen, communion plate, alms dishes, communion chairs, Bibles and prayer books, choir surplices, umbrella stands and carpet.

Hymn books for the use of strangers were supplied but regular worshippers had to provide their own. From Yealand Parish Church came gifts of a reading desk, communion cloth and kneeler. The clergy and choir vestries were also furnished through gifts.

Beautiful stained-glass windows adorn the church. The magnificent East-end window, unveiled in 1905, was the gift of Mr. J. E Fielding at a cost of £800. The window is in memory of the time when he and his wife taught in the old Billinge Sunday School.

Parishioners were busy with events which were not dull. One lady remarked in 1906, "We are in the midst of a most uproarious time, socials to the right of us, socials to the left of us and socials in front of us,” all with the aim of raising money. "We cannot be said to take our Christian life sadly."

Now the completion of the church was contemplated. The scheme for a spire was abandoned as too costly. In 1911 Rev. Bardsley left. He was given "a splendid send-off, showing the affectionate regard in which he was held."  Rev. H. J. Smith was inducted in 1912 and led the work of building the tower.

St. Silas Church was completed by the addition of a handsome tower, 104 feet high. An enthusiast wrote in 1914, "It is a poem in stone and a landmark for miles around". The North and South aisles had been extended and the new porch and doorway made a fine entrance. In a niche over the porch is a carved figure of St. Silas.

The work was carried out by Messrs. E. Lewis and Sons, Blackburn and cost over £6,000. The foundation stone of the tower was laid on Ascension Day, 1913 and the Consecration took place on Ascension Day, 1914.

The beautiful alabaster reredos in the Sanctuary was transported from Italy in 1915. It was presented by Mrs. Henry Harrison in memory of her late husband who died in 1914.

War took its toll! A "Roll of Honour" compiled by Mr. T. Jennings as a war service record for the parish states that, up to November 11th, 1918, of 600 who served 96, including Nursing Sister Robins, died. Many honours were conferred. Of three Blackburn V.C's won in this war two were gained by St. Silas men.

In April 1918 Second-Lieutenant John Schofield was killed in France and was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery. A regular communicant he attended both St. Silas' and St. Thomas' s Churches.

Also, in August 1818 Lieutenant-Commander Percy Thompson Dean, R.N.V.R was awarded the V.C for heroism at Zeebrugge. After his death in 1939 a special Memorial Service was held in church of "one of Blackburn's most distinguished sons."

Captain Leonard Heatley, a former solo chorister, was killed in Belgium in 1917. A richly carved and decorated Memorial screen, erected behind the Wardens' pews, was presented by his father, Mr. T. H. Heatley and dedicated by Rev. H. J. Smith on September 12th, 1918.

As life became peaceful Church organisations flourished again. These included the Band of Hope, the Church Missionary Society, Bible Classes and Evening Classes which were begun before 1892. Some years later a long list includes: - Church Lads' Brigade, Gleaners' Union, Scripture Union, Girls' Friendly Society and a Servant Girls' Guild. The Mothers' Union came into being in 1913. Social activities, such as the Lyric Society, were encouraged for the well-being of the parishioners.

Field days were held on the Yellow Hills where the cricket and football clubs had their pavilion. Annual processions of seven hundred people marched there with Mellor Brass Band leading the way. In 1920 the Girl Guides, Brownies and Boy Scout companies were formed. Many years later other groups including the Ladies Fellowship, Young Wives, Bellringers and Men's Fellowship have arisen.

In 1920 "Royle" on Gorse Road was bought as the first Vicarage. Previously houses had been rented. In 1940 "Royle" was sold to St. Mark's parish and "Fair Elms", a Victorian house, in close proximity to the church was bought. This was demolished in 1960 and a modern Vicarage was built on the site.

Those early Curates-in-Charge and the organist who bought his coals to warm his choir boys would have marvelled at all that had arisen from their earnest "spadework" on that plot of land "opposite the cottages near the Toll Bar at Billinge End".

With grateful thanks to the Church Authorities for generous access to their documents, deeds and church magazines. Similar thanks are also due to the staff of Blackburn Reference Library and Lancashire Record Office.

Figure 1 is reproduced by kind permission of Blackburn Library. Figures 2 and 3 are from the Church Magazine, and figure 4 is reproduced, by permission, from the Revidge Collection.

In Blackburn, it is a well-known fact that the pre-Conquest parish church stood to the north-west of the present cathedral on an area now landscaped with lawns, flower beds and trees.

For a number of years, the Museum has alternatively watched over work on the site and made small excavations (Davison 1978, Edwards 1985). Some artifacts exist to throw a little light on the appearance of the old church and its treasures. Fragments of painted glass are incorporated into one window of the present cathedral; and the cathedral possesses a golden 'pax' recovered from the graveyard in the nineteenth century.

In 1987 funding for a six-week project was obtained with support from the Community Programme.

The earliest literary reference to the site is by John Lyndelay, a 14th century Abbot of Whalley Abbey. In his "De Statu Blagborneshire" he stated that several 6th century churches were founded locally as an off shoot of the Augustinian mission to England. These churches were at Blackburn, Chipping and Ribchester.

This statement is not supported by any other literary evidence, and indeed the likelihood is that Augustine's mission was not effective in North-West England. This does not mean that Christian sites did not exist here at this early date, merely that they remain to be proven.

The entry in the Doomsday Book (1086) for Blackburn runs as follows:

King Edward held Blacheburne. There are two hides and two carucates of land. The church had two bovates of this land and the church of St. Mary had in Whalley two carucates, free of all customs. In the same manor woodland one league long and the same broad, and there was a hawk's eyrie. To this manor or Hundred were attached twenty-eight freemen who held five and a half hides and forty carucates of land as twenty-eight manors. A wood six leagues long and four broad, and (the manors were subject to) the aforesaid customs.

From this we can conclude that a small but thriving economy existed in the area. We know nothing about this church's appearance. Durham's evocative description of the entrance (1) is probably conjectural.

There are however other literary sources that give some indication of the church's appearance. It was rebuilt in the fourteenth century in the current architectural style, which we term decorated Gothic (2). It was altered again in the sixteenth century when the building appears to have been re-roofed to provide the shape seen in the Allen drawing of 1819 (fig 1).