Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 29th July, 2025)

I once went up to see the bells on this church and to take a photo of a mirror with a canal barge carved on it.
Wigan council did a nice job building the ramp at this spot so cyclist and pedestrians can access the canal bank easier.

Located on Hardman Street It opened in 1886 and was designed by Architect EG Palin in the perpendicular style with a French influence and paid for in its entirety by James and Nathanial Eckersley owners of Eckersleys Mill on nearby Swan Meadow Road.

I don't know that area very well but it looks a very imposing church. How the area around it must have changed since it was built.

Correction: 1866 and I might have spelled Nathaniel incorrectly!!!!

It seems like a foreign country to me all that area these days. I passed my driving test in Wigan though.

I agree Irene the Church sticks out like the proverbial thumb amidst the modern ‘chaos’ of road signs etc.

Indeed Irene. We lived in Worsley Mesnes when we were first married, and walked into Wigan - don't recognise the area from this viewpoint and of course new roads have been built since.

Irene, we lament today how Wigan has changed a lot over the last 50 years but nothing compared with the years between 1860 and 1910 when the town was mostly all demolished, rebuilt and expanded in all directions as the population grew and in need of competing churches such as this.
As for the town, out with the old timber framed buildings and into the age of ‘Red Brick and Terracotta’.

Many don’t remember that pre 1970 this was just St James Church until St Thomas’s Church almost oppose Joseph’s Church in Caroline Street off Wallgate merged and the church later demolished.
A architectural landmark and a tragic loss to Wigans heritage having been built in 1851.
Does anyone any photos of St Thomas’s to post onto the album?as there seems to be very few around of it in its glory days.

I know this area very well, I recognised it soon as I click on it.
Use to going in Poolstock Labour Club years back, walked the Canal to Ince many times.
Thanks Brian.

As an apprentice electrician in 1969 i had to fit new lights within the clock face, never occured to me that a sheet of glass lay between safety and possibly death

Most people passed their driving test in Wigan if your a Wiganer Veronica.
A lot has changed round here over the years used to be full of houses .
I kown the place very well and remember Wigan Welding works too.

I didn’t live in Wigan at the time Mutley of my test I preferred coming to Wigan rather than Bolton. Even though it had changed quite a bit. I was, I have to say a bit nervous coming around this area and Wallgate as it had changed somewhat. I felt better about the Wigan Lane and surrounding area. In fact I failed the first time as I was apparently going too fast along Wigan Lane and one other point with my 3 point turn! I-was usually very good at that but nerves got the better of me and I caught the kerb.

That’s exactly where we join the canal coming from Wigan Pier,saves bumping up and down the steps on the cross over bridge.

Eyeball, Eyeball, Mick Byrne, on his bike, stopped on Poolstock Lane, near Peter's Chippy at about 12.45 today, aiming towards Tomplum's house.

Was it you, Mick?

the place hasn't changed at all, only the road layout. I can't come to terms with folk who claim to be wiganers yet know nothing about the town.

Mick was last seen walking down Lovers Lane holding his own hand.

Why do people not know were they are after leaving their own house.
Some wiganer don't even know what's outside their own front door, come on get a life.

Designed by Edward Paley of the great Lancaster architects firm Sharpe, Paley & Austin, who were responsible for the rebuild of Wigan Parish Church and the old St Mary's in Ince, in addition to Bolton Parish Church. A fine firm

Don’t some folk talk daft just to be different. Anything to be contrary. Speaking for myself I haven’t lived in Wigan for over 55 years and have no need to go around that area.

Sleepwalking more like.

Is it Howard or Coward.
For instance, I haven't been to Shevington, why, because I have no need to go there.

DTEASE, that was a better! X

DTease are you a Libra birthday sign as you’ve got mick weighed up.

That made me laugh Dtease -I love your one liners and ‘pomes’. Keep sending um. It livens up the day from wearisome moaning.

I'm a Libra, John Howfen, and I've got him weighed up too!

Me to Irene…..

I wish I could claim credit for that line, but I’m sure I read it somewhere.

Me to Irene…..

Are you and Irene playing pass the parcel, Joh?