The Maltese cross location, in relation to St Peter's church altar. Hopefully this will clear things up a little. Descriptions are given below each image.
Image 1 ^ St. Peter's Church, Church Street.
Again, I've scaled the 1848 OS map over the Google earth view.
The green zone highlighted, is the boundary of the graveyard over today's pavement area. So, in fact, you've been walking over consecrated ground without even realising it? Although, it was probably deconsecrated before the demolition, and certainly before rebuilding.
The blue zone, represents the 'sanctuary' [ie: raised floor area], at the top of the nave, which was accessed by a couple of steps. The altar is located towards the rear of this zone.
Image 2 ^ St. Peter's Church, Church Street.
An enlargement of the map above, showing the sanctuary & 'altar' [in blue] and location of the Maltese cross in Church Street, [before you ask - I didn't have a 'Maltese Cross' symbol on my pc?]. Also, part of Church Street and Church Lane's current pavement trespasses over the original graveyard, which I've highlighted in green.
Image 3 ^ 1758 view of the Altar, St. Peter's. Unsourced image.
Image 4 ^ St. Peter's Church, Church Street.
Postcard view, early 1900's.
Image 5 ^ St. Peter's Church, Church Street. Internal view - LRO image, no date.
Image 6 shows the opposing external view of the window above the altar, from outside in Church Street.
Image 6 ^ St. Peter's Church, Church Street - looking toward Lord Street
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Image 7 ^ St. Peter's Church, looking down Church Alley.
The image was taken from in front of Bluecoat School gates. The Crompton Hotel [now M&S] can be seen in the background, with Basnett Street next to it, on the left.
Image 8 ^ Maltese Cross representing St. Peter's Church, Church Street.
The cross falls outside the plan of the church, but is within the original church yard.[/U]
So where is the Altar now? The position of the actual 'Altar' is probably in one of the shops that now line the arcade through to School Lane. If I had the architect's drawings - I could locate it with some accuracy.
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