St John's Church, Whittingham Hospital

Image: © Rude Health Taken: 30 Dec 2012

As with all Victorian Institutions of the day, religion played a great part and, it was to this end that a Church was built within the grounds and was named St John's. The contract for the erection of a Church and a Chaplain's house was awarded in September 1871, estimated costings being £4,632.00 and £1,579. 8s 2d respectively. The house was subsequently not erected at the time and when it was the cost had risen to £2,000! An organ was purchased and installed in the Church at a cost of £250 and arrangements were made to provide heating by means of hot water, heated by gas. St John's Church was Church of England, and provision for Roman Catholics was made in a room set aside in one of the wards. In June 1875 the Church was licensed by the Bishop of Manchester. The first hospital chaplain was the Rev W T Palmour. The Asylum cemetery was consecrated in 1895, again by the Bishop of Manchester and the chaplain was subsequently awarded 2/6d for each burial service performed. High security fencing prevented a closer look. Planning permission given in 2011 for affordable housing for this former asylum site.

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