The limestone railway sleepers of St Walburge's spire

The spire of St Walburge's turns a red tint during sunset due to the materials used in its construction. The architect, Joseph Hansom, used limestone sleepers that originally carried the nearby Preston and Longridge Railway. This construction gives the 309-foot steeple its distinctive appearance.

Built in the mid-19th century, the church stands as a massive statement of Catholic confidence. It is a Grade I listed building and features the third tallest spire in the United Kingdom. It was built to express the pride and confidence of the Roman Catholic community after legal restrictions on religious observance were lifted in the 19th century.

In 2014, the church became a shrine for the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. They maintain the Traditional Roman Rite, but the Ordinary Form Mass continues to be celebrated on Sundays for as long as there is a pastoral need. This arrangement ensures the sustainability and care of the building so it can remain open each day as a shrine.

You can book to enter the spire occasionally on weekend evenings for a small ticket charge. The tower contains a 31 cwt bell, which is the heaviest swinging bell in Lancashire. Due to protected birds nesting in the belfry, the bell's use is restricted and it can only be rung in winter months.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons