Church of St Peter, Churchgate

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Church of St Peter

Bolton Parish Church
Church of St Peter, Churchgate (Greater Manchester)
Church of St Peter, Churchgate
Shown within Greater Manchester
Basic information
Location Bolton, England
Geographic coordinates 53°27′26″N 2°06′06″W / 53.4573, -2.1017Coordinates: 53°27′26″N 2°06′06″W / 53.4573, -2.1017
Religious affiliation Church of England
Architectural description
Architect(s) Edward Paley
Architectural type Church
Architectural style Gothic Revival
Year completed 1871
Specifications
Length 157ft
Width 67ft
Height (max) 180ft

St Peter's (grid reference SJ932956) is a church in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. The Parish Church, dedicated to St Peter, is a fine example of the gothic revival style. Built between 1866 and 1871 of Longridge stone to designs by Paley, the church is 67ft in width, 156ft in length, and 82ft high. The tower is 180ft in height with 13 bells.[1]

The first known church on the same site was built in Anglo-Saxon times. It was rebuilt in Norman times and again in the early 1400s. Little is known of the first two churches, but the third building was a solid, squat building with a sturdy square tower at the west end. It was modified over the years until it fell into disrepair and demolished in 1866. Fragments of stone and other artefacts from these first three buildings are displayed in the museum corner of the present church.[1][2]

Today, the present parish of Bolton-le-Moors only covers a small area in the town centre,[3] but until the 19th century it covered a much larger area and was divided into eighteen chapelries and townships.[4][5]


The church was designated a Grade II* listed building by English Heritage in 1974,[6] upgraded to Grade I in the early 21st century.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b History of Bolton Parish Church. Official website. URL accessed 6 February 2008.
  2. ^ Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (July 2007). Churchgate, Bolton: Conservation Area Appraisal (pdf). Bolton.gov.uk. Retrieved on 2007-12-29.
  3. ^ Bolton-le-Moors: St Peter (Parish Map). URL accessed 6 February 2008.
  4. ^ The parish of Bolton-le-Moors. British History Online. URL accessed 6 February 2008.
  5. ^ Map of Bolton ancient parishes. URL accessed 9 February 2008.
  6. ^ Church of St Peter, Churchgate. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-12-29.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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