The Parish of Christ Church, Heaton in the County of -- Lancashire --

	Christ Church Board

	Christ Church, Heaton

	Christ Church, Heaton

From The Bolton Journal and Guardian, Friday, August 18, 1937, reproduced here by the kind permission of the Bolton News.

Although it stands on the best known of Bolton’s roads, Christ Church, Heaton, is probably one of the least known of Bolton’s churches. It is at the junction of Chorley New-rd and Markland Hill, and many people must pass it without so much as a glance. It is, in fact, very easy to pass this church without seeing it, for it is almost surrounded by trees which practically conceal it.

To those who are not well acquainted with its history, Christ Church seems to be one of our newest churches. Yet is has a history. The present church was built more than 40 years ago, and there was a branch of Deane Church here long before that.

For some time prior to 1878 a congregation worshipped in Markland Hill School which formed a mission outpost of Deane Church. At about the same time, Deane also had a mission at Daubhill, and when St George the Martyr Church was built, the iron church that had previously done service there was removed to Heaton to take the place of the old Markland Hill School.

For how long prior to 1878 service had been held at this school it is difficult to say, but it must have been for a number of years, for by that year the numbers had so grown as to call for increased accommodation.

The erection of the Daubhill church released the iron church for use in another part of the extensive Deane parish. And so it came to Heaton. From this time onwards the cause at Heaton continued to prosper.

With the appointment of the Rev. F. La Mothe, M.A., as curate of Deane, with special oversight of the Heaton district, the rate of progress increased and a strong body of worshippers was soon attached to the mission church. It was not long, indeed, before the congregation began to think it was time they were allowed to form a parish separate from the mother church of Deane.

By the early 90’s the iron church had become totally inadequate and members of the congregation felt the time had come when they should have a proper church in a distinct parish.

The late Mr. T.W.Holden and the late Mr. Wm. Marsden both bequeathed substantial sums towards a new church and its endowment, and when in 1895 Lady Beaumont put into effect what were known to be the wishes of her father, Sir Charles H. Tempest, and conveyed to six trustees an acre of land, on part of which the iron church stood, the time was ripe for proceeding with the scheme for a new church.

Mr. La Mothe was very enthusiastic about the movement, and he began assiduously to raise money. Plans for the church were entrusted to Mr. R.K. Freeman, and the contract amounted to over 4,000 for the new church. Actually, however, the total cost was over 5,200.

The site was just behind the old iron church, which was left standing until the church was finished. This temporary structure was then taken back to Deane, where it did duty until quite recently as a parochial hall.

The foundation-stone of Christ Church was laid by Lord Stanley, M.P. (the present Earl of Derby) on April 24th, 1893. At the ceremony, he commented on the fact that “although the church was being raised to the glory of God and in the name of the Established Church, the site had been given by one who was not embraced in that religion, but who was a member of the Roman Catholic church.”

The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Manchester on July 13th of the following year. By that time 4,600 of the 5,200 required had been collected or was promised. In addition, many valuable gifts to the church had been made.

Mr. La Mothe became the first vicar of the new parish and held that office until he retired in 1920. His successors have been the Revs. Canon Hemming (190-1924), N.F. Tripp (1924-1937) and P. Weir (appointed last month).

The church is in the Decorated style of architecture, and consists of nave, chancel, north and south transepts, with clergy and choir vestries. It is 101ft. long – the nave 69ft. and the chancel 32ft. – and has accommodation for 432 worshippers. It is built of flat Yorkshire par points relieved by red Rainhill stone dressings to the windows and doorways, and is roofed with Welsh slates.

Since Mr. Tripp left Bolton in April there has been a long interregnum, and a warm welcome will be extended to the new vicar on his arrival in the parish.

	Christ Church, Heaton A view from the rear