Tarleton new church, the foundation stone of which was laid on
October 23, 1886. The spire was added some years later.
The
Rev. R.C. Fletcher, who succeeded his father in 1875, advocated
the provision of a better church. In 1883 a committee was formed
and the collection of subscriptions was taken in hand. From Lord
Lilford £300, Mr Rawcliffe £200 (both of whom sent further
subscriptions later), Rector £250 and Mrs Fletcher £40,
Miss Kennedy £300 and the organ, Mrs Rawcliffe £50 and
the Rederos and Miss Fletcher £100, and the parishioners responded
according to their means.
A
faint old postcard of 1905. Note the spireless church in the background.
The building on the left, with the hoardings, was a smithy when I
was young..
On
October 23rd 1886 the foundation stone was laid by Henry John Powis.
The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester on 7th June
1888.
The collection
on the foundation day was £380 3s. 7d. and on the Consecration
Day £183 7s. 9d.. The entire debt was cleared on 30th June
1897; the total cost of the church was £6,138 15s. 1d.. It
was decided to build a tower and spire as a memorial to the late
Mrs Fletcher and in 1905 a fund was started for that purpose. Mrs
Fletcher promised the church clock. Eight years later the work was
put in hand, and now a handsome spire adorns the church.