A Growing, All-Age, Christ-Centered Community
Our History 1927-
The Parish Church of St. Mark, Layton was built in 1927 and has provided a place of worship ever since. We hope that you will visit and that in the beauty of the impressive surroundings you may find some quiet moments to reflect and pray.
The building is also home to a vibrant Christian Community with many activities that you will be made to feel most welcome at. We extend a warm welcome to our regular Worship Services (Weds and Sundays) and our other activities.
Historically speaking, the Church of St.Mark, Layton is a young church compared to many but it has a close link with local history because Layton Village was mentioned in the Norman Era! (The years 1066-1154 AD). The Rev. E.T.WIlliams and the architect Mr E.E Dennis were fully aware of this fact and designed the "Church on the Hill" on Norman Architecture featuring the strong designs of that period.
The original plans included a Bell Tower and North & South Transcepts. It was planned to seat 800 people. The cost was approximately £45,000. This amount of money was out of reach at the time so something had to be altered to fit a budget of £17,000-£20,000! All the original designs for the main body of the Church remained, leaving provision for further building at some future date. So in 1925 the building of the Church began using Rainhill Red Sandstone (also used in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral).
The Church was blessed that the builders, J.R Fielding & Sons had the services of Mr Tom Roberts, master stonemason and wood-carver Mr J.R Bell. Spurred on by the enthusiastic Rev. Evans, the building was completed in time for the newly-enthroned Bishop of Blackburn, Dr. Percy Herbert, to consecrate the Church of St Mark, Layton on 27th September, 1927.
The building is impressive, as you go round, take time to appreciate the vision of the people, the work of the builders and marvel at the craftsmanship of the stonework and the carvings. Tom Roberts fixed 9,000 cubic feet of stone in addition to the carvings seen particularly in the Sanctuary and the carvings of J. R. Bell add even greater beauty to our place of worship.