Church of St Paul, Holland Street, Astley Bridge

CONSECRATION OF ASTLEY BRIDGE CHURCH – On Thursday afternoon, this edifice was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester. …. This neat little church is situate on a plot of land about a mile and a half from Bolton, which was given for the purpose by the Earl of Wilton; it will accommodate 620 persons, and half the sittings are free. The church and chancel are built in the Norman style of architecture, and the tower and spire are in the style generally designated the early English. The architect was Mr James Whittaker of Bolton. [Manchester Guardian 24 June 1848 page 8]

ASTLEY BRIDGE This small, but neat and beautiful edifice stands upon a most eligible plot of land on the easterly side of the turnpike road from Bolton to Blackburn and at a distance of about a mile and a quarter from the town, the church and burial ground occupy a statute acre of land, kindly given for the purpose by the Right Hon the Earl of Wilton. The church and chancel are built in the Norman style of architecture, or that which prevailed about the eleventh century, and the tower and spire in the style generally designated the Early English, and prevalent about two hundred years later than the Norman; each style evidently being well adapted for its particular purpose, as the whole harmonizes. The design of this peculiar and rather novel application of architectural parts was by Mr, Jas, Whittaker, of Bolton, who superintended the erection. The principal contractors were Mr. Alexander Hodkinson, stonemason; Mr. Robert Haslam, joiner and builder; and Mr, Warr, slater: to whom with the architect, the execution of the works does great credit. There is a gallery at the west end of the church and the number of persons that can be accommodated in the building is 620. More than half the sittings are free. This church, endowed under Sir Robert Peel’s Act, was raised by subscription and grants from the Church Societies. It is constituted a parish church; and “The district of Astley Bridge” previously known as such is to be henceforth called “The New Parish of St Paul’s, Astley Bridge,” having all the rights and privileges belonging to the oldest church in the kingdom. [Bolton Chronicle - Saturday 24 June 1848 page 5]

Reference    Manchester Guardian 24 June 1848 page 8
Reference    Bolton Chronicle - Saturday 24 June 1848 page 5

NOTE "Temporary closure" August 2025 future uncertain