Bolton, Greater Manchester

Bolton on Wikipedia.

See also Farnworth.

Churches in Ainsworth, Astley Bridge, Breightmet, Bromley Cross, Daubhill, Deane, Egerton, Great Lever, Halliwell, Harwood, Heaton, Kearsley and Kearsley Mount, Montserrat, Morris Green, Over Hulton, Tonge Bridge, Tonge Fold, Tonge Moor. Some links will open another page.

This first church is an unknown. Chris Hampson has asked for help in identifying a church shown here on the website of the University of Manchester Archive and Record Centre. The event is clearly shown as Lancashire Missionary Conference, Bolton, 1908, but where the picture was taken is a mystery. The railings (which, even if the building still stands, are unlikely to be there, as they will have been removed for the war effort) are quite ornamental. The regular (and probably architectural rather than functional) short buttresses are fairly distinctive. Chris has ruled out two possible locations - Hebron Hall which opened a year after the conference, and a Gospel Hall on Commission Street. Can you advise Chris of the location?

Al-Falah Mosque on Salisbury Street. SD 709 087. © Mike Berrell.

All Souls (1881-1987) on Astley Street is redundant and in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. Another view. SD 714 108. Both © Mike Berrell. Link1. Link2. Grade II* listed. Since 2013 The Mission Parish of Our Lady and St Edward (Anglican Catholic Church) has met here - previously they had met at the former Congregational Church on Blackburn Road (see below).

Bank Street Unitarian Chapel (1856). SD 718 094. © Martin Briscoe.

Barrow Bridge Mission (CoE) on Barrow Bridge Road, Barrow Bridge. SD 689 117. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.

Bethel Church on Clarence Street. SD 716 097. © Martin Briscoe.

Bolton Apostolic Church - see Breightmet, Red Lane U.R.C., below.

Bolton Methodist Mission (Victoria Hall), on Knowsley Street, as seen by Streetview in 2022. SD 7158 0944. Link, which dates it to 1900.

Bolton Salvation Army Citadel, Great Moor Street. © Rob Brettle.

The former Bridge Street Wesleyan Chapel (1804) on St. George's Street, now in secular use. SD 717 096. © Mike Berrell. Link.

Central Baptist Church on Snowden Street. SD 710 097. © Mike Berrell.

Chalfont Street Independent Methodist Church (1888), on Chalfont Street. SD 716 107. From "A Souvenir of the Hundredth Annual Meeting of the Independent Methodist Churches", 1905, in David Collier's Collection. A modern view, © David Collier (2015), who believes it is used by the Asian community, but for what purpose he isn't sure.

The long-demolished Christ Church (1841-1933) stood on Deane Road. SD 748 110. Copyright Bolton Council. Reproduced here by the efforts of Mike Berrell, and by kind permission of the Bolton Museum and Archive Service. David Collier has advised that the site is now occupied by "Christ Church Garden".

Christ Church on Blackburn Road, Walmsley. SD 711 142. © Martin Briscoe. Another view, © Mike Berrell (2012). Link. Grade II listed - link.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Gaskell Street. SD 710 099. © Mike Berrell (2012).

The demolished Commission Street Unitarian Chapel and Sunday Schools, built 1868. SD 712 088. © unitarian.co.uk. This, and many other old engravings on this website, are reproduced from the downloadable books on the Unitarian Church Headquarters website here. The books are Pictures of Unitarian Churches by Emily Sharpe (1901) and the 1914 edition of Nonconformist Church Architecture by Ronald P. Jones M.A, (Oxon), and the images are reproduced by kind permission of James Barry of Unitarian Church Headquarters. My appreciation also to Mike Berrell for his efforts in this regard.

The former Congregational Church (1897 - 1990) on Blackburn Road, now in secular use. SD 716 106. © Mike Berrell. Two interior views - 1, 2, and the War Memorial. All © Mike Berrell (2012). Between 2011 and 2013 The Mission Parish of Our Lady and St Edward (Anglican Catholic Church) met in the vestry. They now meet in All Souls Church on Astley Street (see above). © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.

The former Delph Hill Wesleyan Methodist Church on Chorley Old Road, Delph Hill, is now used as a community centre. SD 687 105. © Mike Berrell (2012). David Collier advises that this building has since been demolished, and The Triangle erected in its place. The combined congregations of Delph Hill, Chorley Old Road Methodist (now in use as a nursery), and the Seymour Road Methodist Church. The latter, most recently known as the Theatre Church, was demolished in 2015.

The former Elim Pentecostal Church on Moor Lane. SD 712 091. From an old newspaper clipping (1947) in David Collier's Collection.

The former Emmanuel Parish Church (1839 - 1990) on Cannon Street has been converted to flats - "Stone Church". SD 708 084. © Mike Berrell. This photo dates from 1988, before conversion work commenced, as does this photo of some charming carved heads. Both © David Collier. Another view, © Bob Thornley (2008).

The long-demolished Folds Road Independent Methodist Church ( - 1888), was succeeded by a new building (1888-9). This in its turn was also demolished to make way for the town centre bypass. Both from "A Souvenir of the Hundredth Annual Meeting of the Independent Methodist Churches", 1905, in David Collier's Collection.

The former Great Moor Street Congregational Church can be seen in an old newspaper clipping, looking along Mawdesley Street. Another partial view. Both from David Collier's Collection. A modern photo, showing the building erected on the site. SD 717 090. © David Collier (1988).

Hebron Christian Church on Mayor Street. SD 710 087. © Mike Berrell.

The former Holy Trinity on Trinity Street (1826 - 1993), now disused. SD 719 087. © Mike Berrell.

Holy Trinity on Church Road, Prestolee. Interior view. Stained glass windows. SD 755 058. All © Mike Berrell. David Collier has advised that this has now been converted into flats, with the first lettings in 2014.

Independent Methodist Chapel (1872) on Noble Street. SD 711 084. © Mike Berrell.

Jamia Alavia Bolton Mosque (Sufi - Bareilvi) on Bromwich Street. This was previously First Church of Christ, Scientist.  SD 725 088. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Noble Street. SD 710 084. © Mike Berrell.

Krishna Temple on Beverley Road. SD 701 095. © Mike Berrell. David Collier advises that this was built as Independent Methodist.

Methodist Church at Delph Hill. © Martin Briscoe.

Former New Jerusalem Church (1844) on Higher Bridge Street - now in secular use. SD 716 096. © Mike Berrell.

The former Peace Street Methodist Church closed (David thinks) in the 1970's, and re-opened shortly thereafter as a Mosque. Although it doesn't display a notice board, David thinks this is probably part of Jamia Zakariyya Masjid Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre. David thinks this is still in use for teaching and meetings, but a new Mosque was built on an adjoining site in about 2006/8. © David Collier.

St. Andrew and St. George (U.R.C.) on St. George's Road. SD 715 095. © Mike Berrell.

St. Edmund (R.C.) on St. Edmund Street. Interior view. SD 719 087. Both © Mike Berrell.

The former St. George on St. George's Road (currently disused, but has been in use as shops). SD 715 095. © Philip Kapp. Another view. © Mike Berrell.

St. Mark, built in 1866 and demolished in 1973, stood on St. Mark's Street and Fletcher Street (SD 717 081). Link is to an external website, with many church photos.

The former St. Mary of the Assumption (R.C.; 1847 - 1987) on Palace Street, now in secular use as a restaurant. SD 716 096. © Mike Berrell.

The former St. Matthew on Mount Street, built 1874, closed 1982, and demolished in 1988 due to dry rot. This later photo shows it after the spire was taken down. SD 710 103. Both reproduced here by the efforts of Mike Berrell, and by kind permission of Halliwell Local History Society.

St. Patrick (R.C., 1861) on Great Moor Street. SD 718 090. © Martin Briscoe. Interior view, © John Balaam (2012).

The former St. Paul on Deansgate. SD 714 092. © Mike Berrell. Thanks to Raymond Jarrett for advising the dedication, and that it's now in use as flats.

St. Paul with Emmanuel on Vicarage Street. Interior view. SD 707 082. Both © Mike Berrell. David Collier advises that when Emmanuel Parish Church (see above) closed, the congregation amalgamated with that of St. Paul's Deansgate. The present church was then built. Another view. © David Collier.

St. Peter on Churchgate. SD 720 093. © Elizabeth Clarke. Another view. © Martin Briscoe. Link.

St. Saviour (CoE) at Ringley. Interior view. SD 764 052. Both © Mike Berrell.

St. Stephen and All Martyrs (1842) on Hag End Brow, Lever Bridge, Darcy Lever. Mike advises it is nicknamed "The Pot Church". It is the UK's most famous terra cotta church. The architect was Edmund Sharpe. Even the pew ends and backs are produced from terra cotta. The church obviously has something missing. The spire was removed in 1939, and the splendid lantern tower in 1966 by Fred Dibnah, who lived nearby. Three interior views - 1, 2, 3. SD 733 085. All © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.

Seventh-day Adventist Church on Deane Road. SD 710 087. © Mike Berrell.

Shree Swaminaravan Mandir Temple on Deane Road, formerly a Unitarian Church. SD 708 089. © Mike Berrell.

Smithills Hall Chapel on Smithills Dean Road. SD 700 119. © Mike Berrell (2012).

Society of Friends (Quakers) on Silverwell Street, with St. Peter behind. SD 720 092. © Martin Briscoe.

Spiritualist Church (SNU, 1872) on Bradford Street. SD 724 090. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.

The former Strict Baptist Church which stands at the corner of Dorset Street and Back Bradford Street. Its date-stone is for 1885. SD 7236 0899. © Gerard Charmley (2023).

The former The Saviour (1881, demolished 1973) stood on Deane Lane. SD 704 084. Copyright Bolton Council. From the collections of Bolton Museum and Archive Service. Reproduced here by the efforts of Mike Berrell, and by kind permission of the Bolton Museum and Archive Service. David Collier has also sent in a an old photo, as reproduced in a local newspaper. Bob Harrison has an old church magazine dating from 1940, which has an illustration of the church. He has also advised of the following links - 1, 2.

Thornleigh Salesian College Chapel (R.C.) on Sharples Park, Sharples. SD 708 118. © Mike Berrell (2012).

Ukrainian Catholic Church, formerly All Saints, on All Saints Street. SD 718 096. © Martin Briscoe. Another view.

Unity Church (Unitarian and Free Christian, 1866), The Gatheouse, Chorley New Road. SD 702 093. © Mike Berrell. Link.

Former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (dating from 1819) on Fletcher Street, now in secular use. SD 713 085. © Mike Berrell.

The long-demolished Wesleyan Methodist Church on Tonge Moor Road. Dated 1887, David thinks it was demolished in the 1960's or 1970's. SD 728 104. From an old newspaper clipping in David Collier's Collection.
 

Ainsworth
Ainsworth Methodist Church (1892) on Bury Old Road. SD 761 102. © Mike Berrell.
Ainsworth Presbyterian (Unitarian) Chapel on Knowsley Road, Ainsworth. Interior view. Both © Mike Berrell. An old photo of the interior, reproduced by kind permission of the chapel secretary, Shirley Horrocks. SD 763 103.
Christ Church on Church Street. SD 763 102. © Mike Berrell. Link.

Astley Bridge
Astley Bridge Baptist Church, on Eden Street. Interior view. Both © Graham French (2011).
Astley Bridge Methodist Theatre Church (originally Wesleyan, 1868) on Seymour Road. Mike also took a photo of a painting (with permission of the Church Council) showing the interior before alteration. SD 715 113. Both © Mike Berrell.
Gospel Hall (1939) on Maxwell Street. SD 714 118. © Mike Berrell (2012).
Holy Infant and St. Anthony (R.C.) on Baxendale Street. SD 712 117. © Mike Berrell. Interior view, © Mike Berrell (2012).
Lee Clough Mission. The previous church was on a different site, and demolished to make way for a supermarket, probably in the 1960's or 1970's. SD 713 115. © David Collier (2010).
Derelict Mortuary Chapel (1884) in Astley Bridge Cemetery. SD 711 113. © Mike Berrell.
St. Paul on Holland Street. SD 715 115. © Mike Berrell. Another view, and two interior views - 1, 2, all © Mike Berrell (2012).

Breightmet
Breightmet Community Church on Bury Road (previously known as Breightmet Methodist Church). SD 749 093. Next door to it is the former Wesleyan Chapel (1848). Both © Mike Berrell.
Bright Meadows Christian Fellowship on Winchester Way. SD 738 104. © Mike Berrell. David Collier advises that this was built as Top o'th' Brow Independent Methodist Church, between the wars. It closed in 1994 - the Bright Meadows (Assembles of God) moved in immediately.
Red Lane U.R.C. on Red Lane. The Bolton Apostolic Church also meets here. SD 742 103. The old church. Both © Mike Berrell.
St. James on Withins Lane. Another view. SD 740 095. Both © Mike Berrell. Another view, © Malcolm Rigg. Link.
St John the Evangelist on Brodick Drive. Interior view. SD 748 089. Both © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St. Osmund (R.C.), on Long Lane was built in 1961. SD 740 093. Two interior views - 1, 2, © Mike Berrell (2016). The old church dates from 1925. Both © Mike Berrell.

Bromley Cross.
Birtenshaw Wesleyan Chapel on Darwen Road. SD 721 135. © Mike Berrell (2012).
Cornerstone Baptist Church on Lord's Stile Lane. SD 725 132. © Mike Berrell (2016).
St. Andrew on Queen's Avenue. SD 722 133. © Mike Berrell (2012).
St. John the Evangelist (R.C.) on The Crescent. SD 724 134. © Mike Berrell (2012). Another view, showing a recent extension, and two interiors - 1, 2, all © Mike Berrell (2016).

Daubhill.

Deane
The Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah Boarding School for Boys Prayer Room, formerly Mount St. Joseph Convent Chapel (R.C.). SD 698 080. © Mike Berrell.
Deane U.R.C. on Wigan Road. SD 693 079. © Mike Berrell.
St. Ethelbert (R.C.) on Hawthorne Street. Another view. Interior view. SD 699 080. All © Mike Berrell.
St. Mary the Virgin on Junction Road. SD 694 082. © Mike Berrell. Two interior views - 1, 2, and a board showing the vicars and their predecessors back to 1227, all © Mike Berrell (2012).

Egerton.
U.R.C., previously Independent, on Blackburn Road. SD 709 151. © Mike Berrell (2012).
Walmsley Unitarian Chapel (1713) on Blackburn Road. Two interior views - 1, 2. SD 704 155. All © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
The former Wesleyan Methodist Church at 241 Blackburn Road, now in commercial use. It has a date of 1891. SD 709 148. © David Collier (2010). My appreciation to Janet Gimber for the identification.

Great Lever
Makka Mosque on Grecian Crescent. SD 717 078. © Mike Berrell.
Masjid Al-Jamia Darul Quran Mosque, on Bridgeman Street. SD 709 078. © Mike Berrell.
Rose Hill U.R.C. (dating from 1927) on Bradford Road. Another view. SD 723 072. Both © Mike Berrell.
Royal Bolton Hospital on Redgate Way, Chapel, Mosque and Temple. SD 715 064. All © Mike Berrell.
The former St. Bartholomew (1879, demolished 1962) stood on St. Bartholomew's Street. SD 721 080. Copyright Bolton Council. From the collections of Bolton Museum and Archive Service, and reproduced here by the efforts of Mike Berrell, and by kind permission of the Bolton Museum and Archive Service.
St. Michael (1851) undergoing works in 2012. On Manchester Road. SD 731 071. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link. Grade II listed - link.
St. Peter and St. Paul (R.C.) on Pilkington Street. SD 714 084. © Mike Berrell (2010). Mike advises that it closed in 2009.
St. Philip on Bridgeman Street. Interior view. SD 708 077. Both © Mike Berrell.
St. Simon and St. Jude (CoE) on Rishton Lane. SD 717 073. © Mike Berrell. Mike advises that it has since closed (2011), and the congregation now meets at St Simon and St Jude’s School. This news item reports on vandalism at the church.
St. William of York (R.C.) on Lever Edge Lane. SD 712 071. © Mike Berrell (2010). Two interior views - 1, 2. Both © Mike Berrell (2016).
The Polish Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd (1963) on High Street. I've also added a photo of the date-stone, mainly for the unusual name! This was built as Independent Methodist in 1893, and continued as Methodist until 1962. The present congregation moved in in 1963. SD 713 078. Both © Mike Berrell (2016).

Halliwell
Chorley Old Road Community Methodist Church was originally Wesleyan  (1908). SD 699 102. © Mike Berrell (2012).
Church of the Nazarene (1971) on Yarrow Place, Brownlow Fold. Interior view. SD 710 103. Both © Mike Berrell.
Free Church (Unitarian) on Halliwell Road. SD 708 108. © Mike Berrell.
Masjid-E-Noor-Ul-Islam on Prospect Street. SD 715 104. © Mike Berrell (2012).
Mosque on Eskrick Street. SD 371 106. © Mike Berrell (2012).
St. Joseph (R.C.) on Horace Street. Two interior views - 1, 2. SD 709 106. All © Mike Berrell (2012).
St. Luke on Chorley Old Road. SD 703 100. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St. Margaret on Lonsdale Road dates from 1913. SD 698 098. © Mike Berrell.
St. Matthew with St. Barnabas on Brownlow Way. SD 711 103. © Mike Berrell. Link. Bruce Cunningham advised in 2019 that this church is now St. George Indian Orthodox Church (link).
St. Paul on Halliwell Road dates from 1848. SD 705 110. © Mike Berrell. Link.
St. Peter on Church Road. SD 692 106. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St. Thomas the Apostle (1875) on Eskrick Street. SD 707 107. © Mike Berrell. Link.
Former Salvation Army Hall on Winter Street. © Rob Brettle.
Veda Mandir Mosque, formerly St. Barnabas (1896 - 1974) on Thomas Holden Street. Another view. SD 709 096. Both © Mike Berrell.

Harwood.
Christ's Church. A postcard of "Harwood" from Reg Dossell's Collection, formerly in the "Unknown" section, since there are a number of Harwood's. Identified by Janet Gimber as Christ Church on Stitch-mi-Lane. A modern view, and three interior views - 1, 2, 3, all © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
Harwood Wesleyan Chapel (1862) on Longsight. By coincidence, Mike visited just after their final service, on 15 April 2012. The church is to be converted to meeting rooms and offices, and a new church will be built nearby. Three interior views - 1, 2, 3 and a memorial window, which one might hope will be transferred to the new church. SD 743 119. All © Mike Berrell (2012).
St. Brendan (R.C., 1974) on Longsight. Three interior views- 1, 2, 3. SD 744 120. All © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.



Heaton
Christ Church (1896) on Chorley New Road. SD 6857 0941. © Mike Berrell (2014). Link.
Heaton Cemetery Chapel (no longer in use). © Martin Briscoe. Another view. © Mike Berrell.
Overdale Crematorium on Overdale Drive - West Chapel (1952). East Chapel (1954). SD 694 090. Both © Mike Berrell. Interior view of the East and West Chapels, both © Mike Berrell (2013).
St. Thomas of Canterbury (R.C.) on Lonsdale Road. Interior view. SD 696 098. Both © Mike Berrell; interior view with permission of the priest. A news item on proposed church closures.
The Grace Centre - Home of Bolton Family Church, on Somerset Road. Formerly U.R.C. SD 697 096. © Mike Berrell.

Kearsley and Kearsley Mount
Kearsley Mount Methodist Church (previously Wesleyan), on Manchester Road. Interior view. SD 755 047. Both © Mike Berrell. Since Mike took these photos, he has re-visited, and photographed the re-ordered interior - 1, 2, and a plaque giving a little history, all © Mike Berrell (2013). Link.
New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgian) on Bolton Road. SD 744 053. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St. John Fisher (R.C.) on Manchester Road. SD 754 049. © Mike Berrell. Interior view, © Mike Berrell (2016). The Schoenstatt Shrine. © John Balaam (2012). Interior view, © Mike Berrell.
St. Stephen on Manchester Road, Kearsley Moor. SD 755 047. © Mike Berrell. Two interior views - 1, 2, both © Mike Berrell (2013. Link.

Montserrat.
St. Andrew at The Hope Centre, Tattershall Avenue. SD 683 108. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St. James the Great (R.C.) on Bowland Drive. Two interior views - 1, 2. SD 685 110. All © Mike Berrell (2012). A news item on proposed church closures.

Morris Green
St. Bede on Normanby Street. Interior view. SD 699 068. Both © Mike Berrell. Link.

Over Hulton
St. Andrew on Crescent Avenue. Another view. SD 691 057. Both © Mike Berrell.
St. Vincent de Paul (R.C.) on Newbrook Road, Over Hulton. SD 688055. © Mike Berrell. Two interior views - 1, 2, both © Mike Berrell (2016).

Tonge Bridge
The Bridge Church (Assemblies of God) on Bradford Street. Interior view. SD 727 093. Both © Mike Berrell (2012).

Tonge Fold
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Jethro Street. SD 731 096. © Mike Berrell (2012).
Mortuary Chapel in Tonge Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Tonge Fold. SD 729 091. © Mike Berrell.
St. Chad on Longworth Street. SD 731 092. © Mike Berrell. Interior view, © Mike Berrell (2012).
Trinity Methodist Church (formerly Trinity Wesleyan Chapel, 1886) on Bury Road. SD 734 093. © Mike Berrell.

Tonge Moor
Church at the Centre U.R.C. on Starkie Road. SD 728 102. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St Aidan on Crompton Way. SD 727 113. © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St Augustine of Canterbury (High Anglican and Forward in Faith) on Thicketford Road. Three interior views - 1, 2, 3 and a side-chapel altar and war memorial. SD 729 103. All © Mike Berrell (2012). Link.
St Columba (R.C., 1956) on Ripley Street. The parish was formed in 1931. Two interior views - 1, 2. SD 729 116. All © Mike Berrell (2012). Mike advises that the final mass will be held on the 11th of November 2017, and will be followed at some point by demolition.