Roman Catholic Church of St Margaret Clitheroe

Roman Catholic Church of St Margaret Clitheroe

This church, built of random-coursed limestone with zinc-clad concrete beams and a stone slate roof, is a striking modern structure composed of two intersecting squares. The building is aligned north-east to south-west, though for clarity directions below follow liturgical orientation.

The architectural form is dominated by four concrete beams that rise to form a pyramid over the eastern square, while the other square creates triangular roof projections in the centres of the north, east and south elevations. The concrete beams extend from the central apex downward to ground level beyond the building corners, functioning as flying buttresses bedded in random-coursed limestone bases and clad in zinc. The fourth side to the west features a square projection containing a meeting room.

The three main elevations—north, east and south—each display a triangular roof flanked by raised zinc-clad concrete beams. Below the roofline, a central triangular projecting limestone element with a narrow horizontal window is flanked by battered walls at the base, with windows set in heavy plain concrete surrounds that appear to float within narrow plain glass lights. Concrete pillars clad in round columns of random limestone support the roof beams at each corner.

The main entrance is on the north elevation to the right of the central projection, with wooden double doors, plain glass side panels and an overlight. The east elevation features a large zinc-clad wedge above the triangular projection forming a skylight over the sanctuary. A substantial Celtic cross in lead with figurative carving, created by John Ashworth and John Loker of LA Studios, London, is mounted on this wedge. The west elevation's square projection has a large window set in a heavy concrete surround with central mullion.

Internally, the sanctuary occupies the triangular projection on the east side, defined by a single curved step and lit from above through a light well. The west-facing side of this well bears a bas-relief sculpture of the risen Christ flanked by wheat and grapevines, also by John Ashworth and John Loker. The altar table, facing the congregation, sits on a solid base of rough-coursed limestone with a stone plinth at the rear for the tabernacle.

Six rows of curved wooden bench pews, designed by the architect, are arranged in a semi-circle facing the altar and occupy the central open space beneath the exposed wooden rafters and concrete supporting beams. A folding partition screen behind the pews can divide the rear portion when needed. Round the walls are brass reliefs of the Stations of the Cross set in open circles, though these are not original installations.

Flanking the sanctuary are two limewood carvings: Our Lady in a recess to the right and St Margaret Clitherow to the left, each on a plinth. Both recesses have two large windows in Dalle de Vere stained glass designed by Jane Duff and made by John Hardman Studios. The predominantly abstract, swirling designs incorporate symbols including the Alpha and Omega, Dove, Cross, Chalice and Host. The left window features wheat and grapes; the right window is dominated by blue tones and lilies associated with Mary.

The northern and north-western portions contain cloakrooms and an entrance vestibule, while the south corner serves as sacristy and confessional. A small kitchen occupies the south-west corner, separated by a screen, with glazed screens and doors leading to the meeting room to the west.

The church sits near the River Wharfe between the villages of Threshfield and Grassington, on land formerly associated with a branch railway line that closed in 1969. Set back from the road, it is approached by a paved driveway extending round two sides with formal shrubberies immediately adjacent. The remainder of the plot is landscaped with lawn and specimen trees.