St. David, Haigh

St. David’s church is beautifully situated in the heart of Haigh village with its extensive graveyard sloping away towards the woods behind. Its history is, of course, closely linked to the Earls of Crawford who lived in nearby Haigh Hall.

Built out of local stone, St. David’s is a modest building without a tower or a spire.  There’s a small bellcote at one end, a chimney in the vestry. The church was consecrated in 1833 and, while the 24^th Earl of Crawford gave the site and provided the stone, the building was paid for, like St. John’s, Pemberton, by the Church Commissioners, a national government fund established to pay for new churches in the early nineteenth century.  It cost £3,433 and, was designed by Rickman and Hutchinson, the same architects as St. John’s, Pemberton.

The church originally had galleries on three sides and the one at the west end was specially adapted to incorporate the Crawford family pew.  The pew was still being used by the family in the 1930s. When built, the church must have been very plain with clear windows, high box pews and a tall pulpit halfway along one wall. Stained glass windows were put in in the 1860s and in 1886 the church was extended, in the Victorian style, with a new, larger chancel and a vestry being built.

Standing in the gallery the church is bright and open, a wide space with no pillars or supports. A wide chancel arch frames the altar with its red sandstone window frame above and striking carved reredos behind.

The stained glass needs further study.  A First World War memorial window depicting St. George and St. Barbara, Patron Saint of Warriors, was given by the 27^th Earl of Crawford, others by the Fair family who worked for the Crawfords and lived at Haighlands on the estate.

But the thing not to be missed, albeit very sad, is the baptistery. The vicar during the First World War, Revd. C. H. James, lost his four sons in the fighting and they are commemorated there. Three died in 1915, the fourth is on a separate panel having been reported missing in 1916.  The grief of Revd. James and of his wife can only be imagined.

Don’t miss the lovely lychgate. Enjoy the churchyard. Several vicars of Haigh are buried in this pleasant spot. Look out, too, for the graves of servants who worked at Haigh Hall.

Images of church exterior by Christine Thompson

Baptistery

Beautiful setting with graveyard containing graves of servants at Haigh Hall