Re-used Calvary Cross Slab, Churchyard of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
RE-USED CALVARY CROSS SLAB, CHURCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, TOWNGATE
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1393860
- Date first listed:
- 24-Jun-2010
- List Entry Name:
- Re-used Calvary Cross Slab, Churchyard of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Statutory Address:
- RE-USED CALVARY CROSS SLAB, CHURCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, TOWNGATE
Location
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II*
- List Entry Number:
- 1393860
- Date first listed:
- 24-Jun-2010
- List Entry Name:
- Re-used Calvary Cross Slab, Churchyard of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Statutory Address 1:
- RE-USED CALVARY CROSS SLAB, 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.
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.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- RE-USED CALVARY CROSS SLAB, 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 51621 17832
Reasons for Designation
The re-used medieval ledger located on the south-west side of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary , Eccleston, is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
* Its origin in C13-C15 as a Calvary cross memorial ledger incorporating a sword
* Its secondary history as an unusual example of C18 re-use of a formerly internal ledger, showing a continuity of tradition and the desire for perpetual remembrance of an individual by means of a memorial stone.
Details
1837/0/10018
ECCLESTON
TOWNGATE (Off)
RE-USED CALVARY CROSS SLAB, CHURCHYARD OF THE CHURCH OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
24-JUN-10
II*
Ledger. Medieval (C13-C15), re-used in 1766 to commemorate John Rigby. Located in churchyard on south-west side of Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eccleston. Gritstone.
Large rectangular slab aligned east-west. Now lichen covered and south edge partially covered by grass. Original design of incised cross with dovetail terminals set on two step Calvary, with large sword on its right side. Secondary incisions comprise initials 'I(J)R' at the top left and at the top right 'John Rigby / 1766'.
HISTORY: The original cross ledger would have been located within the church. The sword emblem signifies a male burial, to an unknown individual. In the C18 when it was appropriated as a churchyard memorial to one John Rigby who died in 1766.
REASONS FOR DESIGNATION
The re-used medieval ledger located on the south-west side of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Eccleston, is designated at Grade II* for the following principal reasons:
* Its origin in C13-C15 as a Calvary cross memorial ledger incorporating a sword
* Its secondary history as an unusual example of C18 re-use of a formerly internal ledger, showing a continuity of tradition and the desire for perpetual remembrance of an individual by means of a memorial stone.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 507682
- 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.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 06-Jun-2026 at 14:27:04.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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