St Anne’s is in the gracious classical style of the eighteenth century. The original tower, which was built in 1695-6, was rebuilt with the rest of the church between 1745 and 1748.
The building has been listed since 1950 and is currently Grade II* (List entry Number: 1099966).
The tower is surmounted by a deep corniced balustrade parapet with a Grecian vase at each corner. The belfry has a louvered window with a 4-centred head to each side with clock face below. The tower contains a peal of bells that are rung every Sunday and often visited by bell ringing groups from around the country. At the east end of the Church below the Chancel window is the town’s War Memorial, which forms an integral part of the stonework.
Inside, the nave is divided from its aisles by Doric columns; there are plaster ceilings, flat over the side aisles and
arched over the nave.
There is a Chancel at the east end. It comprises one single bay with arched windows to North and South. The East window is in the Venetian style and has Ionic fluted pilasters.
The ceiling is decorated in plaster above.
A panelled gallery exists at the west end of the nave, providing some additional seating.
The original clear class in the windows of the north and south aisles has been replaced with Victorian stained glass. There are no significant monuments.
The church seats about 350 in fixed pews, made originally by Thomas Cook with Thomas Woodward. The original box pews were cut down in 1881.
The pulpit is panelled C18 oak with simple inlay. The font dates from 1890 and the nave chandeliers (by Adrian Tilford) were installed in 1992.
East window glass 1881 by Jones& Willis.
Aisle windows by William Pearce 1892.
War memorial beneath East window by W. H. Goodwin 1920.
Considerable re-ordering was carried out between 1988 and 1992. The chancel was cleared of furniture and
re-floored in York stone, creating an open space in which the focus is an altar table of modern design, allowing the celebrant to face the congregation. This space, when cleared, is suitable for drama, music and exhibitions.
A narthex was created, separated from the nave by a glass screen, and an adjoining kitchen and toilet built.