1698 Headstone to South of Porch in Churchyard of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

1698 HEADSTONE TO SOUTH OF PORCH IN CHURCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, TOWNGATE

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Overview

Headstone. 1698, located between south porch of church and war memorial, sandstone.
Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1393859
Date first listed:
24-Jun-2010
List Entry Name:
1698 Headstone to South of Porch in Churchyard of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Statutory Address:
1698 HEADSTONE TO SOUTH OF PORCH IN CHURCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, TOWNGATE
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Location

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:
Listed Building
Grade:
II
List Entry Number:
1393859
Date first listed:
24-Jun-2010
List Entry Name:
1698 Headstone to South of Porch in Churchyard of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Statutory Address 1:
1698 HEADSTONE TO SOUTH OF PORCH IN CHURCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, TOWNGATE

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

The scope of legal protection for listed buildings

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:
1698 HEADSTONE TO SOUTH OF PORCH IN CHURCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, TOWNGATE

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:
Lancashire
District:
Chorley (District Authority)
Parish:
Eccleston
National Grid Reference:
SD 51631 17830

Reasons for Designation

The headstone dated 1698 adjacent to the south porch of Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eccleston, is recommended for designation at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * As a legible and representative example of a relief-carved late C17 headstone of modest design with scrollwork cresting, initials, date, and a folk art representation of a tulip.

Details

ECCLESTON

1837/0/10020 TOWNGATE 24-JUN-10 (Off) 1698 HEADSTONE TO SOUTH OF PORCH IN CH URCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

II Headstone. 1698, located between south porch of church and war memorial, sandstone.

Small stone with relief-carved scrollwork cresting to top and wider shoulders. Inscription is relief carved: Initials R G separated by tulip above horizontal line and dated 1698.

History: This headstone is dated 1698. It is the earliest example of a purpose-designed headstone in the churchyard. Other headstones are C18 or later. The rise of the headstone as a memorial type occured in the later C17, and was to become one of the most important forms of memorial in Britain.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION The headstone dated 1698 adjacent to the south porch of Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eccleston, is recommended for designation for the following principal reasons: * As a legible and representative example of a relief carved C17 headstone of modest design with scrollwork cresting, initials, date, and a folk art representation of a tulip.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:
507687
Legacy System:
LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Ordnance survey map of 1698 Headstone to South of Porch in Churchyard of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Map

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© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. Use of this mapping is subject to Terms and Conditions.

End of official list entry

All text content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 , except where otherwise stated. Any supplied maps are © Crown Copyright [and database rights] 2026 OS AC0000815036 and may not be reproduced without permission.

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