Schools
We have links with two primary schools and one high school within our town
The life we share with our two church primary schools is central to our parish and what we aim to do and to be. Bolton Parish Church School and Bishop Bridgeman Church of England Primary School (which is an academy within the Archbishop Temple Trust) , together educating around 700 children, are situated in two different residential areas of our parish and serve diverse communities.
Clergy and lay people are involved in our schools, not only in leading worship but in serving as school governors and helping with some of the day to day tasks that make our schools the centres of excellence that they are.
Canon Slade School is a Church of England 11 – 18 Academy with 1800 students and is part of the Bishop Fraser Trust. Named after its founder, a former Vicar of Bolton, Canon James Slade, the school retains strong links with Bolton Parish Church, not least through the annual Founder’s Day service (on or close to the anniversary of James Slade’s death – 15th May).
Activities
Tuesday Lunchtime Recitals
The church houses a magnificent three-manual organ and a fine Yamaha grand piano, both of which are used in the annual summer series of Tuesday lunchtime concerts, which runs from just after Easter until the end of July, and through September and October.
Admission to the concerts is free but a retiring collection is taken to support the work of music at the Parish Church. Refreshments will be served from approximately 12.45pm (after the conclusion of the 12.15pm service).
Please note that the church car park is not available to the general public during the day.
For those wishing to perform at the recitals, please email concerts@boltonparishchurch.co.uk
email usBellringing
Bells have been rung at Bolton Parish Church for about 300 years. The current ring of twelve bells was installed in 1974. This included eight bells from The Saviour Church, Deane Road, and five new treble bells (recast from seven of the original eight). The original tenor bell was kept and hung “dead” for electric ringing when the main team is unavailable. Its 1699 inscription reads: “I to the Chvrch the living call And to the grave doe svmmon all Henry Bagley made mee 1699.”
The bells are rung for the main Sunday service from 10:15 AM to 11:00 AM, and for occasional services like weddings. The weekly practice is every Friday at 7:00 PM, led by Tower Captain Linda Mort.
To join the bell ringers, you do not need musical knowledge, strength, or agility—only the ability to count (which we can teach!). If interested, please attend a practice night at 7:00 PM (enter via the south-east side door by the car park).
In June and September, the tower opens to the public for guided visits to the ringing chamber, offering the chance to try ringing a bell and enjoy the spectacular view from the top. The tower is a “must-visit” for both experienced ringers and novices.
Handbells
In 2016 a hand-bell ringing group was formed consisting of established members of the bellringing band plus some enthusiastic novices. The group quickly became competent to perform at public events e.g. the Midsummer Festival and Heritage Open Day and are continuing to develop their skills.
New members are always welcome – the group meets in church on most Wednesdays from 7pm to 8.30 pm (entrance by the small door on the right-hand side of the car park side of the church)
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Tuesday Group
The Tuesday Group is a friendly, informal social group that meets in the church at 2:15 PM on the first Tuesday of the month. Everyone is welcome to join our varied program.
Past activities have included talks by Age UK, Backup, and clergy members. We have also enjoyed meditation, circle dancing, craft sessions (greetings cards, Christmas displays), and creating poppies and Angels of Hope. Visits included guided tours of Bolton Museum’s Egyptology department and the Aquarium, as well as garden centres. We have held discussions on books and hobbies, and been entertained by the church choir at Christmas. We also host Macmillan and other charity coffee mornings, along with celebration lunches.
Come and join us to try something new, share friendship, and enjoy a cup of tea!
For further details, please email admin@boltonparishchurch.co.uk
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Flower Arranging
The Flower Team provides arrangements in the church throughout the year, excluding Advent and Lent. We collaborate with the Sunday School for major festivals like Christmas, Easter, and Harvest, and also provide flowers for civic services and special occasions.
We are members of the Church of England Flower Arrangers’ Association and founder members of the diocesan group, “Can We Blossom.” Annually, we host two flower demonstration and workshop days to support local charities (see What’s On for details).
We are usually in the church on most Friday mornings from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM (except during Advent and Lent), and invite you to join us for a chat and a cup of tea. Alternatively, we are available after the 11:00 AM service on most Sunday mornings. For more information, please get in touch.
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Guided Tours
Throughout the year, several groups visit Bolton Parish Church for guided tours. We will do our best to ensure your tour is ‘tailor made’ so if you are interested in arranging a tour, be it, historical, educational, architectural or a combination of these, please contact the parish office.
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Our History
The exact founding date of the first church in Bolton town centre is unknown, but evidence from the present church’s foundations suggests a long history.
A Saxon cross in the west porch, dating from the early 10th century, indicates the site was a burial ground. Fragments of stonework confirm a church building existed by the 11th century, likely served by monks from Maresay Abbey.
The first recorded incumbent, John de Sanwyog, appears in 1254. As Bolton’s population grew, the original Saxo-Norman church was replaced around 1420 by a larger, though reportedly dark and unremarkable building. This structure served the town for four centuries, suffering from changing architectural trends and repairs. Its notable feature was a large east window, an extended form of which is preserved as the current north transept window. A few relics remain from the old church, including the Jacobean lectern and wooden altar in the Ormrod chapel, a pulpit made from the old wood, and 15th century wooden seats.
The current church, also dedicated to St Peter, was designed by E G Paley of Paley and Austin. Following the demolition of the old structure, the foundation stone was laid on April 27, 1867. The new church was consecrated on St Peter’s Day, June 29, 1871, by Bishop James Fraser. A Grade II listed building*, the church is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic architecture, constructed of Longridge stone. Its tower is 55 metres (180 feet) high, making it the tallest of any parish church in Lancashire, providing extensive views over the moorland that gave Bolton its historic name, ‘Bolton-le-Moors’.
The building is 47.5 metres (156 feet) long, 20.5 metres (67 feet) wide, and has an interior height of 25 metres (82 feet). The building stands as a testament to the generosity of Peter Ormrod, who provided the building, and countless others across generations whose contributions of money, time, and worship have ensured this magnificent church remains for the glory of God.