Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/445

 situated at the east end, and the others at the sides. The main entrance was protected by a porch. From the scanty description preserved of the general features of this antique specimen of ecclesiastical architecture, it has been conjectured that its origin might be traced back to the time of Henry VIII. Within the erection the seats, which were of black oak, ornamented with scrolls, were arranged in four rows, two running down the centre and one down each side, whilst the north side of a small chancel was set apart for the choristers. The pulpit was fixed against the south wall; and the Cliftons possessed an old canopied seat, the precise station of which cannot be ascertained.

On the demolition of this church in 1770, its successor arose with a somewhat more pretentious exterior, having a low tower abutting the west extremity. The interior of the latter structure contained several objects of interest, amongst which may be noticed two tables fastened to the wall and inscribed as under:—

FIRST TABLE.

"Charities to Lytham church.

"1765.

"The honourable Countess Dowager Gower, one hundred and fifty pounds. Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, two hundred pounds.

"1768.

"Ryheads in Goosnargh, purchased with the above four hundred pounds. Thomas Clifton, Esq., added seven pounds per annum, to be paid of Bamber's estate in Layton, to the old stipend of twenty pounds per annum. Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty purchased six acres and three perches of land with the above two hundred pounds, from Barker's estate; it adjoins Ryheads.

"1770.

"This church was rebuilded. John Gibson, minister. William Silcock and William Gaulter, churchwardens."

SECOND TABLE.

"1801.

"Subscriptions in the parish, two hundred pounds. Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty laid out the above two hundred pounds in the purchase of a rent charge of five per cent. per annum, payable off Bamber's estate in Layton.

"1814.

"John Clifton, Esq., one hundred and thirty-one pounds. William Hornby, Esq., sixty-five pounds eight shillings. Joseph, Thomas, and John Hornby, Esqs., ten pounds each, making thirty pounds. Rev. Robert Lister, fifty pounds. L. Webbe, Esq., ten pounds. Joseph Benbow, five pounds. Captain Thomas Cookson, ten pounds. Richard Cookson, ten pounds. Cornelius Crookall, ten pounds. John Cardwell, ten pounds.