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John Lived in Wigan for first 26 years, visited often since, but never viewed inside Parish Church until now, thank you for the "opportunity". Extremely well presented, congratulations.

lorraine never seen anything like it, its absolutely beautiful

Jim On a sunnier day in June the flag of St. George, Englands patron saint..

Jim ..flies proudly over the church tower.

Jim A view of the church gardens..

Jim ..in which are the remains of an ancient building..

Jim ..which bears this plaque with the date 1683 and the initials of the men who built it. The bricks above it were blackened by the sooty atmosphere of Wigan's industrial past.

Bill F. A real gem , so brilliant and so informative your talents are never ending Jamie boy .

Eth n Cyril Thank you Jim that was lovely You have missed your way in life you should have been a Historian

denis fishwick thanks jim for this brief look inside this wonderful parish church of ours

Jim Wigan is one of the four most ancient boroughs in Lancashire. It's motto, "Ancient and Loyal" is unique by being in English and not Latin. Wigan was Northern H.Q. of the Royalist army under Lord Derby

Jim Some more recent views of the altar adorned with a different altar cloth.

Jim A better view showing the lower, older structure. Note how the original stone blocks are less symetrical.

Jim The pulpit and lectern.

Jim The very imposing brass eagle lectern.

Jim The light floods in through the lovely stained glass windows.

Jim The plaque tells us Richard Edward Kellett donated the panelling in 1902.

Jim Outside, the base of the war memorial.

Jim The first view of the interior as you enter and stand at the back of the church.

Jim Here the ancient town Moot Hall that once stood in the town centre is depicted.

Jim The lovely windows at the rear of the church overlook the church gardens.

Jim ..here lies Sir William Bradshaigh and Lady Mabel, his hand is on the hilt of his sword, his foot on a vanquished foe - depicted as a lion.

Jim The plaque is supported by a lion head.

Jim At the very back of the church is the Mayors Gallery, three seats decorated with the Royal Coat of Arms and the Wigan coat of Arms - originally these were for the Mayor, ex Mayor, and Senior Alderman.

Jim It's ornate carved top.

Jim A close up of the church clock. The church was rebuilt between 1840 and 1850, apart from the tower, a turret, and a chapel.

Jim The top section with the clock was built on top of the original tower.

Jim A close-up of one of the tower's ornate stone finials.

Jim The inscription above it's arch.

Jim Above is the beautiful dark timbered ceiling.

Jim The pulpit carved in Caen stone in 1847.

Jim As far as I am aware the church is open to visitors every Saturday afternoon.

Rik Adams We have lived in Wigan since 1969, every occasion we thought we might like to have a look inside Wigan Parish Church it has been locked ! We assume averting possible vandalism is the reason, but surely that way the vandals win, is this not so ??

Jim Thank you Jim & Doreen, Glad I was able to take you for a look around. I have some 61 local slideshows on this site, which can be accessed by clicking on my name at the end of this comment, but the most viewed by far is this one.

Doreen Morters Living in USA for the past 34 yrs., my brother Keith also lives here (was a chorister there in the 50's.) What a fabulous meaningful piece of Architecture, so beautiful. Haven't been in there since about 1962. You did a great job of showing us what it's all about. Thanks Jim Doreen Morters

Michelle This is absolutley fantastic, and if people fro Wigan have not been inside the church they are missing a beautiful building with so much history.

Brian Bradshaw Fantastic

Johnny B from swinley It is amazing to see such a well put together slideshow. I did not realize we had so much history on our doorstep.

rosie from hindley i was really surprised at seeing your slide show.didnt know the church looked so magnificent inside.will have to take a look inside for myself now.many thanks for this on the net

Jeanette &Ken Southam We really enjoyed your film. You do forget, when visiting other' tourist type' towns what real history we have on our own doorstep!

Barbara Mercer brought back many memories of my years spent at the church, where I was married. -

Fred Phipps Thanks, Jim. It brings back memories of when I was in the choir!(1939 -45

Barbara Blackburn Darby absolutely beautiful. my late Mother and Uncle were baptisted in the 1900's.

mia it was alright but needs moor things for younger

Jim The war memorial was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott who designed the iconic British red telephone box. The buildings in the background face onto Wallgate.

Jim From Hallgate. the strangely named King of Prussia Yard leads into the church grounds, near the base of the church tower....

Jim ...over a small door at its base is a plaque..

Jim .. that tells how in 1643, in the Civil War attack on the town, 86 Royalist sharpshooters kept Cromwell's army at bay from the tower, yielding only when threatened with having it blown up under them.

Albert Dewhurst I spent several years in the choir, under the leadership of George Galloway. I had forgotten how beautiful the Church is. I will certainly pay a visit. Many thanks.

jackie thanks jim enjoyed this very much

Carol, Geoff, Jeff, Jamie and Adam Totaly amazing and very informative, Our families have lived around this area all our lives and was never aware of the history of the Church and connection to Mabs Cross, Thankyou!

Ann As a merseysider finding I have ancestors hailing from Wigan and Hindley of long past came across your website. Surely such a wonderful piece of architecture and history should be widely publicized - what gems we have on our doorsteps.

liz pettit once again excellent photos we have plenty history in the town

Mick Your right Jim the last time I was in the church was when I was in the cubs on would have been St Geoges day

Jim Thanks for your nice comments. I also have a Wigan town centre slideshow on www.wiganworld.co.uk - Stuff page.

carole green thanks Jim that was lovely, I have lived here for 23 years and never been in but I will now make sure I put it on my list of things to do. Thanks again x

Jim At the top of Wigan Lane is the remains of Mab's Cross, to which Lady Mabel of Haigh Hall, had to walk to as her penance. Her story is said to be the basis of Sir Walter Scott's novel The Betrothed.

sister in law Elixabeth NZ excellent really enjoyed the visit thamks Jim

IRIS I am in USA visiting my daughter & family so it was most appreciated, I will show it to her friends so they can get some of our history also sending it on to relatives in oz as they are researching family tree

Billy Boy You're usual expertise , always professional nice one again Jim

mike saunders What a gem, That most of us did'nt know existed.

bill cox absolutely brilliant

j cannell i really enjoyed that visit jim, and i will see it for myself thanks

Lisa Nice one Jim! Must actually go in next time we are over!

Chris n Norman Thanks Jim. Once again you have soothed the savage brow. Lovely pics; beautiful music. Well done!

Jim The sign at the door said - Open To Visitors - an invitation not to be missed - this is a photo record of my visit, taken with the limitations of my mobile phone.

Jim Wigan Parish Church of All Saints. First mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086, making it one of the oldest in Lancashire. Its roots must go back much earlier as Wigan was founded as a Roman fort.

Jim I hope you have enjoyed the visit. If by chance you are in Wigan on some Saturday afternoon, you too might pop in - and be amazed at this gem in our midst. To share click the email symbol coming up.

Jim As a penance Lady Mabel was ordered to walk from Haigh to Wigan once a week barefoot. The cross she walked to is still there - known as Mab's Cross. William was outlawed for a year and a day.

Jim The Story of Lady Mabel. Sir William Bradshaigh was absent for 10 years, fighting in the crusades. Lady Mabel assuming him dead, married a Welsh knight, but William returned and killed the knight.

Jim The Wigan Parish Church of All Saints dominates the town's Market Place, yet the vast majority of Wiganers have never set foot inside it, or enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of its interior.

Jim Click on the four arrows bottom right to view Full Screen

Jim The church entrance.

Jim The Crawford Chapel, here, seven centuries on, lie the remains of Sir William Bradshaigh and his wife Lady Mabel of Haigh Hall.

Jim The window in the Crawford Chapel contain the images of St. Paul, St. George, St. Martin, and St. Oswald.

Jim ..also at the side of the altar.

Jim Lady Mabel - she is humbly repentant, as represented by the cowl across her mouth. Despite everything they lived happily until he was murdered in an affray in 1333 - She bequeathed the chapel in 1338.

Jim A wall plaque to the Bradshaigh family

Jim Behind these is the richly decorated high altar, above which is a magnificent stained glass window.

Jim A closer view.

Jim The High Altar.

Jim The ornate carving on the pews

Jim ..and some of the rich wall panelling

Jim The Walmseley Chapel.

Jim Once owned by the Walmesley family it was given to the church in 1955.

Jim A final look at the interior of the church.

Jim This view of the interior shows the Crawford or Lady Chapel on the right and within which lies a 700 years old romantic story.

Jim The Crawford Chapel - or Lady Chapel. Bottom left are the carved effigies of Sir William and Lady Mabel.

Jim At the rear of the church is the baptistry with its ornate font, we are now back at the main entrance - let us now take a look at some parts of the church's exterior.

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