Historically, Woodplumpton was in the ancient parish ofSt Michael's on Wyre, served by the parish church ofSt Michael. There is architectural evidence of achapel at Woodplumpton prior to 1200; documentary evidence of such a structure dates from 1552.[1] The church was largely rebuilt in 1630.[2] The southaisle was added in 1748.[3] In 1899–1900 theLancaster firm of architectsAustin and Paley made additions and carried out a restoration of the church that included the installation of new windows, re-roofing the northaisle, repairing thearcades, and extending thevestry.[4] The restoration cost £2600, of which £160 was provided by the Manchester Church Building and Endowment Society.[5] In 1966 the church was designated as a Grade II*listed building.[6] The Grade II* listing is for "particularly important buildings of more than special interest".[7]
St Anne's sits on high ground in the south of the village.[1] It is constructed of red and yellowsandstone, and ofgritstone with sandstone dressings.[1] The roofs areslate and stone slate. Its plan consists of anave with north and south aisles,chancel, a west tower and avestry to the north-east. The nave and aisles are all under separategabled roofs.[6]
The tower has a window with a round head, a square clock face on the south wall, a mouldedcornice and a simpleGibbs surround. It is topped by an octagonalcupola with rounded arches.[3] At the top of the cupola is a small stone dome and aweathervane.[6]
There is no structural division between the nave and the chancel; the chancel, which occupies one and a half bays, is enclosed by oak screens.[1] The north arcade has five two-centred,chamfered arches on octagonalpiers with moulded caps and bases.[6] The north and south arcades are in thePerpendicular style.[3] The south aisle, 13 feet (4.0 m) wide,[1] is in theClassical style withpilasters,entablature and a moulded cornice. It has acrenellatedparapet.[6] The church has two bells, dating from 1596[8] and 1837.[1]
Boulder signifying the grave of "Singleton witch" Meg Shelton
The churchyard lies mostly to the south and west of the church.[1] There arestocks close to thelychgate. These date from the 18th century or earlier, and have been restored. They have two stone shafts with round heads, the right-hand of which is inscribed with the initials "AB". They are designated at Grade II.[9] There is asundial south of the church. The dial, which sits on an octagonal stone shaft, is dated 1657.[1] The plate andgnomon arebrass. The sundial has also been given a Grade II listing.[10] Also associated with the church and listed at Grade II are a gateway dating from the 18th century or earlier,[11] and amounting block of a similar date.[12] Woodplumpton churchyard is said to be the burial place of an alleged witch, a local 17th-century woman named Meg Shelton who was known as the "Singleton witch" or the "Fylde Hag".[13][14] According to legend, she was buried upside down to prevent her from escaping. The spot is marked by a boulder.[15] The churchyard also contains thewar graves of four British and aCanadian soldier ofWorld War I, and aRoyal Naval Volunteer Reserve officer ofWorld War II.[16]
^"Woodplumpton",Database of historically significant bells and bellframes, 29 October 2007, archived fromthe original on 29 July 2010,To see the record, enter "Woodplumpton" in the "Parish or Location" text box and hit "Search the database"
Fields, Kenneth (1998),Lancashire Magic & Mystery: Secrets of the Red Rose County, Sigma,ISBN1-85058-606-3
Fishwick, Henry (1891),The History of the Parish of St. Michaels-on-Wyre in the County of Lancaster, Manchester,OCLC5153152{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
