General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

Hope you don't mind, Dostaf - I thought it was time it had a thread of its own.

There's a collection of interesting information about Leigh Parish Church on www.leighlife.com - link

Shown on the link 'is the Old St Mary’s church built in medieval times, possibly the 15th century. By the 1870s the older structure was considered unsafe and needed replacement. The architects chosen to design a new church were Austin and Paley from Lancaster. The foundation stone was laid in 1871 and the church consecrated in 1873.

Parts of the tower, built in the 16th century, are all that is left of the older structure. Richard Marsh and William, his son, who were fustian manufacturers in Leigh, were among the townsfolk instrumental in rebuilding the church. The clock was provided by Richard and William and his wife Mary provided the pulpit.'