This book is the work of Mr Tom Gillett and was first published in 1974 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Weld Bank Church. It is reproduced here by kind permission of Mr Gillett’s son, Mr Denys Gillett. I have added a few footnotes, particularly where details mentioned in the original have changed. I have also divided the work into chapters and made other minor changes to assist with readability and with use of the work as a document of reference. I have included both photographs that were in the original printed version and a few more that I have come across which might help to illustrate the narrative.
Mr Gillett’s work is a great tribute to this community. He has traced its origins from early times up to 1974 and has unearthed not only the historic details of our area but, just as interesting, many amusing stories of folk in the Weld Bank community.
Pauline June 2024
CHAPTERS
1974 Acknowledgements and Introduction
Chapter 1 From the Romans to the Normans and the coming of Christianity to the north of England
Chapter 2 Medieval times in the Chorley Area
Chapter 3 1534 – 1700 The Reformation Period
Chapter 4 Early 1700s Catholics penalised but not executed
Chapter 5 1770 – 1802 Life in Weld Bank for the wealthy and not so wealthy when the parish began with Fr. Chadwick
Fr Thompson’s record of the foundation of Weld Bank
Chapter 6 1802 – 1841 Weld Bank Parish in the early days with Fr. Thompson
Chapter 7 1841 – 1870 Life here at the time of Fr. Greenhalgh
Chapter 8 1870 – 1898 Life here at the time of Dean Lennon
Chapter 9 1898 – 1944 Life here in the times of Fr. Teebay, Canon Banks and Dean Bilsborrow
Chapter 10 1944 – 1974 Life here in the times of Canon Waring & Fr. Croghan
Weld Bank Community 