St Leonard's Church

No one knows how long there has been a church at Downham. During the rebuilding of 1910 traces of what were believed to be early Norman or Anglo- Saxon foundations were unearthed. The presence, within the parish,  of a field called Kirkacre - a pure Saxon word - adds credence to an estimate of 1,000 years. The church, with fifteenth century tower and main body of 1910, stands at the top of the steep main street of the village in a perfect and harmonious grouping with Downham Hall, home of the Asshetons since several months before the accession of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558. The present Lord Clitheroe is Patron of the parish church. The Parish Church of Downham St. Leonard is in a joint benefice with Christchurch, Chatburn, the neighbouring parish. These two parish churches share a Priest-in-Charge with St. Mary Magdalene, Clitheroe; there has been no vicar exclusively for Downham since 1988.

Visitors

We are an open church; the door is unlocked from morning to dusk every day. Visitors are welcome to look round, guidebooks are available (see also history link, to the left).

Visitors are warmly welcome to attend all our services (for details see our services page, and latest newsletter).

Services

2nd and 4th Wednesday at 10 am

Shortened Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer

1st and 3rd Sunday at 11 am

Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer

2nd, 4th and 5th Sunday at 11 am

Matins from the Book of Common Prayer

Special Services such as Mothering Sunday, Harvest Festival, Carol Service and Christingle
are announced in the Parish newsletter and shown on the website.

Our 11 am Holy Communion Service from the Book of Common Prayerf pdf