Wigan Album

I have this picture in a small frame. I see why you have posted it Peter. It's 6 years before the other one.

Difficult to see how this drawing could have been made in 1824, given that it depicts the church as it substantially looks today.

However, on the parish website it says this: "Most of the present structure was erected between 1845 and 1850, when the church was almost entirely rebuilt."

This implies that, before 1845, the building would have looked very different.

Its drawing, so it could be of any old market place

How many market places have a Legs o Man pub?

Item #: 33315 shows the same structure in 1825.

If you google “Wigan Parish Church 1824” and look at “images” you can read a 22 page critique of the drawing by John Harwood. The article does not suggest that it isn’t Wigan. It even has a map suggesting where he sat. There is too much detail for me to recount but it is worth reading.
The opening on the right could be the entrance to the Commercial Yard

Shows the "Legs of Man" pub?

I have just read the church re building on their website. The printing is not clear on my computer when the mid 19 century alterations are discussed but it does suggest when the print becomes clear that the previous church buildings were copied.

Well said Ang. It's definitely not "any old Market Town". It's our town of Wigan.

Again, the parish church only got it's clocks and pinnacles after 1861.
That means, any drawing which shows Wigan parish church having clocks and pinnacles must have been drawn AFTER 1861. But an artist can draw whatever he/she likes, there's no law against it.

Maybe it’s a case for Fiona Bruce to take up on “Fake or Fortune “

Maybe it’s a case for Fiona Bruce to take up on “Fake or Fortune “

This drawing shows the 15th century tower with simple parapet and pinnacles as described by British History. It was not touched by Sharpe and Paley in 1845-50 they rebuilt the rest of the church. Paley added the top section in 1861 as James Hanson has stated and you see the comparison in the councils article Philip mentions. Fiona would suspect the last 1930s painting I think.

Of the two pictures I prefer this one as it is depicted more professionally. I like the other one as well as it's a 'likeness' and shows the 'bare bones' of life in 1830's Wigan. Were stocks still being used at that time though? Another conundrum, to me anyway.

There is other pubs in lancashire with the same name, but this looks like wigan

""Again, the parish church only got it's clocks and pinnacles after 1861.
That means, any drawing which shows Wigan parish church having clocks and pinnacles must have been drawn AFTER 1861. But an artist can draw whatever he/she likes, there's no law against it.""

The artist could have added them at a later date which if you look at the lines seems quite possible. The lay and rise of the roadway and the lines of the buildings, it is definitely Wigan's Market Place.

The battlements are different in number on many of these, so-called, artist's drawings. There are as many 'drawings' of Wigan parish church, all different, as there are photographs of 'Standishgate from Market Place'. Why on Earth?

I cannot imagine a 15th century stonemason could resist having a pinnacle on the church tower. Gothic.

I am certain that the sketch is Wigan. The debate now seems to ask could it have been done in 1824 because the actual clock was added much later.
The clock looks as though it has been stuck on . It doesn’t fit architecturally. It could be 1824 artistic licence.

I am certain that the sketch is Wigan. The debate now seems to ask could it have been done in 1824 because the actual clock was added much later.
The clock looks as though it has been stuck on . It doesn’t fit architecturally. It could be 1824 artistic licence.

I agree Philip C. The clock does look as if it's been stuck on , it's too big and an impossibility to be placed where it is.