The document summarizes the histories of several churches in and around Westhoughton, Lancashire, England. It discusses when the churches were established, rebuilt, or expanded. Several highlights include: - St Bartholomew's Church in Westhoughton dates back to at least 1200 AD and was rebuilt in 1731 and 1869. It burned down in 1990 but was replaced in 1995. - St John's Church in Wingates dates to 1859 and the hymn "Angel Voices Ever Singing" was composed for its first pipe organ dedication in 1861. - St James' Church in Daisy Hill was built in 1881 and donated by local residents. It is considered an architectural gem designed by famous architects P

1. CH1 - St Bartholomew’s Church is the oldest
established church in Westhoughton. There is mention of a
chapel on the site of the churchyard in the papers of
Cockersand Abbey about 1200 and according to Baine’s
History of Lancashire , a church dedicated to St Bartholomew,
existed in 1557. The church was rebuilt in 1731 on the site of
the old chapel and replaced by a larger building in 1869
which was paid for by the benefactor John Seddon of the
Mortons, who also provided employment by building the
Albion and Victoria cotton mills and Green Vale bleachworks.
Unfortunately the church was burned down in 1990 and only
the tower survived. A replacement church was consecrated in
1995.
The Church Tower is a grade II
listed building.

2. CH2 - St John’s Church, Wingates ( Grade II
listed building)
The church was consecrated in 1859. The world wide
renowned hymn “Angel Voices ever Singing” was
specially composed for the dedication of the first pipe
organ in 1861.
Temple Farm Chorley
Road

3. CH3 - St James’ Church, Daisy Hill ( Grade II listed building) was built in 1881 and was a gift to
the village from Miss Haddock and her sister Mrs Makant. It is listed for preservation because of its architectural
significance. It is built from terracotta stone and is considered to be an architectural gem because of the style of
architecture adopted is what is known as ‘flowing decorative or curvilinear.’ The Nave is 28 feet wide and 79 feet long
and the chancel is 25 feet wide and 38 feet long. It was designed by the famous architects Paley and Austin.
The Church – Viewed from the South, such grandeur! The Bellcote, with its three bells.

4. In 1784 John Wesley stood on this
stone to preach in the open air at
Barnaby’s Farm, Chorley Road. The
row of cottages opposite the farm
was known as “Methody Row” and
services were held there. The Wesley
stone stood for many years at the
Trinity Wesleyan Church but now
stands at Grove Lane Methodist
church grounds.
Barnaby’s Farm
CH4 -The Wingates Independent
Methodist movement was formed about
1810 when they left the Wesleyan Methodist
movement and eventually built Wingates
Independent Methodist Church and school in
the Square in 1835. In 1871 a larger church
and school was built in Dixon Street. This
church was subsequently demolished in
2002.
Wingates Band were formed as a temperance
band in 1873 in Wingates Independent
Methodist Church. They became an elite brass
band when they won the British Open Brass
Band Champioship and the British National
Championship in 1906 and 1907 and have won
numerous competitions since.

5. CH5 - The Bethel owes its origin to a Congregationalist preacher from the Leigh
area who first preached at Old Sirs, Daisy Hill but by 1815 needed to move to larger
premises. After several moves because of increasing popularity, the meetings were
held at 24 – 26 Park Road (demolished c 1969) where the congregation grew to
about 220 worshippers.
The existing Bethel building was opened in 1853 and the Sunday School was added in
1870.
The Bethel served an important purpose as a day school until 1915 when the local
authority built a new girls school on Bolton Road and a boys school at Central Drive.

6. CH7 - Grove Lane Methodist Chapel. The
Old Chapel was founded in 1871. In 1966 the Grove
Lane and Trinity Methodist Church merged to form
Westhoughton Methodist Church. In 1996 this
church became part of the St George’s Church
based in the primary school at the Hoskers, but the
original building shown is still in use.
CH8 - Daisy Hill Primitive Methodist Church
CH6 - Trinity Wesleyan Church built 1869 was known as
“daub chapel” because it was constructed of concrete slag. In 1903 the
new chapel was built in front of the original one on Church Street.

7. 1873: FIRST HIGH MASS HELD AT ALBION STREET,
WINGATES. (The Drawing on the right courtesy of Tom Newton M.B.E)
Parishioners originally took mass in a
Weaving Shed in Albion Street (acquired
from Joseph Horrocks) in 1873.
1895: THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR THE NEW SACRED HEART CHURCH
WAS LAID
The Foundation stone was solemnly blessed and placed by Bishop
Bilsborrow of Salford on the 22nd June 1895.
On the 22 December the Sacred Heart Church was opened.
The move to Lord Street had brought a great increase in numbers, there
were 800 church members in 1898.
CH9 - Sacred Heart Catholic Church