St James' Church, Poolstock

St James' Church is a Gothic Revival structure with a five-bay nave lit by clerestory windows, along with north and south aisles. The prominent west tower features corner buttresses that rise through multiple stories, giving the building its distinctive profile.

The building was founded when its foundation stone was laid in 1863 and completed in 1866, supported by funding from a wealthy local colliery owner. This construction period aligned with a time of growth in the industrialized region.

The church functions as an Anglican parish and serves as a gathering place for the local community. It reflects the religious life of the area and remains an important social center for residents in the Poolstock neighborhood.

The building is registered as a protected historic structure, which means it meets certain preservation standards and is safeguarded under national planning protection. Visitors should be aware that the site serves active religious purposes and should be visited respectfully.

Inside, the church houses a two-manual organ built by Hill and Son in 1865 that still plays during services. The tower contains eight bells cast in 1896 by the renowned Whitechapel Bell Foundry.

Location: Wigan

Inception: 1866

Architects: Edward Graham Paley

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Website: http://stjameswithstthomas.org/church/Welcome.html

GPS coordinates: 53.53580,-2.63790

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:25