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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

LITTLEBOROUGH

 

 

In 1471 Holy Trinity was built because the need for a church other than St. Chad's in Rochdale was becoming more essential. The local population increased and St. Chad's served all the people between Rochdale and Todmorden. The Todmorden folk used either Halifax, Heptonstall or Rochdale.

   

An application for a licence was made the to the Abbot of Whalley, who granted one on condition that the building of the church was paid for by public funds and that the chaplain appointed had to be paid for out of the local coffers. The chaplain then had to repay to the Abbot of Whalley, two tenths of this income.

The chapel was built nearer to the river than today's building and it was called Little-brucke, which eventually gave its name to the town of Littleborough. This is a rare instance, as it is usually the church, which is named after the town.

In 1660 Holy Trinity was made into a Parish Church and supported a congregation of 272 families. It continued to thrive, but marriages were still performed at St. Chad's, as an extra charge was made for using any other church than the mother church of the parish. It was common practice for couples to walk over the moors from Todmorden and Littleborough to St. Chad's with their friends, to be married before morning service. They would then have a short rest at a pub in town, before setting off back for home, probably in a merry state.

   
The influential Halliwell family was much involved with Holy Trinity and Theophilus made money available for a schoolmaster and at a later date, some time around 1697, his brother Richard built the school in Ealees Lane. It was funded by subscription from the Halliwell family who were local landowners and it was run as a church school. When it first opened it took 10 pupils. It was the only school at that time between Littleborough and Todmorden.

Halliwell-Beswick vault in the churchyard

   

The old schoolhouse on Ealees Lane 1905

   

In the 1700's the church fell into disrepair and only 182 families now attended. It was rebuilt in 1817, possibly for the second time and was paid for by public subscription. The Endowed school carried on with its work and scholars paid 1d for their Sunday morning reading and writing tuition.

   
Mr. Lawrence Newall of Town House paid for a new steeple to be built in 1860, so that he could see his gift from his home. Below is a photograph of his family vault in the churchyard. The photo on the left is his family vault at Holy Trinity.
   

In 1872 Dr. Salts was appointed as vicar and he injected a new enthusiasm into the church and school. After a few hurdles were overcome, a new chancel foundation stone was laid in 1889, which added 57 new seats to the church. The Parish Council had previously turned down the offer of the sum of £4, 000 made in 1876 by the mill owner, Mr. W. Law, for a new church to be built. The church continued to grow with Dr. Salts as its vicar. He served at Holy Trinity until 1911, a total of 38 years. After he retired, another vicar, Rev. A. W. Gaskell, served the church for 40 years.

Very little has changed since 1889. A memorial cross was placed in the churchyard in honour of the fallen of World War 11 and the original graveyard was closed in 1940 as it was full. The stones have since been laid flat, making for easier maintenance and gives the churchyard an open aspect.

Copies of the Bishops Transcripts and also the Memorial Inscriptions have been filmed and can be seen at the Lancashire Records Office

 

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/education/lro/

Baptisms 1758-1844

Burials 1794-1844

An excellent book "The Village Church" has been written by Austin W Colligan, and contains much more detailed information about the church than has been written here. Published in 1974 by Upjohn & Bottomley (Printers) LTd., Litho House, Bare Hill St., Littleborough, Lancs., OL15 9BN

 

  Burial Ground

It is a pleasant church and churchyard, well kept and a pleasure to walk around the gravestones. Many have been covered by grass, but on the whole there are a great number to be seen. A couple of the graves and their inscriptions are detailed below.

In memory of Henry TRAVIS of Laneside

who died Jan 1846 aged 70 years.

Also Alice wife of Henry TRAVIS of Laneside

who died   ?? 1835 in the 59 th year of her life.

   

Mary Ann the daughter of John and Hannah KERSHAW

of Pike House Mill

who died March 17 th 1854 aged 7 yrs.

Also of the said John KERSHAW who died June 23rd 1880 aged 75 yrs.

   

In Memory of Elizabeth the wife of John CROSSLEY of Calf Lee Walsden

who died Sept. 7th. 1880 aged 64 years.

Also of the above named John CROSSLEY

who died May 6th. 1886 in his 76th. year

   

In Memory of Mary the wife of Thomas BUTTERWORTH

of Lower Swaindrod who died Feb. 7th 1842 aged 40 yrs.

Also of the above named Thomas BUTTERWORTH

who died 8th March 1863 aged 63 yrs.

Also of Mary Ann the wife of James KERSHAW

who died 25th Nov. 1888 aged 53 yrs.

   

In Memory of Susan the wife of Thomas WOOD of Ramsden Wood

who died Feb. 5th 1845 aged 43 yrs.

Also of Robert their son who died 10th Jan. 1847 aged 5 yrs.

Also of the above named Thomas WOOD

who died on 9th Feb. 1853 aged 52 yrs.

   

In memory of James BUTTERWORTH of Gate House

who died Nov 12 th 1867 aged 57 years,

Also Mary his wife who died October 10th 1880 aged 61 years

Also of Sarah Ann

the daughter of William and Caroline BUTTERWORTH

Died October 11 th 1873 in her 3 rd year.

   

Sacred to the memory of Michael UTTLEY of Lighthazzles

who died 9 th of March 1843 aged 80 years

Interred at Holy Trinity Church Todmorden.

Also of Frances his wife who died 13 th October 1857 aged 87 years.

Also of James their son who died 15 th February 1859 aged 56 years

Also of Edmund the son of John and Mary UTTLEY Summit

who died 29 June 1864 aged 37 years

The inscription has got to be wrong and should read St. Mary's Todmorden.
   

 

In memory of Mary, wife of William ROGERS, of Newgate

who died September 7th 1858 aged 59 years

Also of the said William ROGERS who died 8th March 1879 aged 82 years.

 

In memory of James ROGERS of Smithy Nook who died Sept. 14th 1863 aged 64 years.

Also Sarah, his wife who died November 11th 1871 aged 70 years.

Also of George his son who died February 14th 1867 aged 31 years.

 

In memory of Anne, wife of John ROGERS

Also of Martha his beloved wife who was killed by an accident on the railway

May 19 th 1880 in the 56 th year of her age.

 

In memory of Hannah the wife of Abraham ROGERS of Lydgate

who died February 1st 1847 aged 63 years

Also of the above Abraham ROGERS who died on the9th September 1865 in his 79th year.

Also of Abraham ROGERS their son, Cheetham St., Rochdale

who died February 10th 1871 aged 56 years

 

In memory of Esther, the wife of Samuel CROWTHER of Todmorden,

who died Jan. 25th 1852 aged 38 years

Also of Samuel his son, who died March 4 th 1864 aged 2 years

Also of Esther his second wife, died May 28th 1865 aged 47 years

Also the above named Samuel CROWTHER who died on the 28th March 1866 aged 57 years

Also of Susannah his daughter, who died October 29th 1868 aged 28 years

Also of John H. CROWTHER his son, who died September 4th 1869 aged 28 years

 

Sacred to the memory of JOHN HAIGH of Pike House,

who died on 28th Dec. 1865 in the 74th year of his age,

having been a faithful and devoted servant in the family for a period of more than 36 years.

Also SARAH his wife, who died April 29th 1876 aged 86 years.

 

In loving memory of MARIA , the wife of Thomas HAIGH of Littleborough

who died Feb. 29th 1844 aged 25 years.

Also of WILLIAM his son who died August 13th 1842 aged 18mths.

Also of MARY ANN his daughter who died April 3rd 1844 aged 6mths.

Also the said THOMAS HAIGH who died March 8th 1887 in his 68th year.

Also of ALICE his wife who died December 13th 1888 aged 69 years.

 

In memory of Samuel UTTLEY junior late of Longlees

Died 16th November 1865 aged 70 years

Also Frances his daughter

Who died 14th March 1870 aged 37 years

 

In memory of Thomas the son of John and Mary UTTLEY of Wilderness

Who died 30th June 1852 aged 19 years.


Sacred to the memory of Sarah the daughter of Robert and Hannah Hill of Croft Head

who departed this life June 19th 1814, in the 4th year of her age.

Also of the above named Robert Hill, who died March 22nd 1829 aged 46 years

Also of Hannah his wife, who died July 10th 1829 aged 41 years

Also of Charles their son who died September 3rd 1844 aged 35 years

Also of Benjamin Kershaw of Gale who died June 17th 1858 aged 47 years

Also of James Cryer of Handle Hall who died 26th July 1869 in his 43rd year.

Also of Esther relict of the said James Cryer

who died 29th July 1870 aged 57 years.


In Memory of Thomas Hill, late of Redishore

who died June 28th 1839 aged 75 years

Also of Elizabeth his wife who died June 17th 1843 aged 78 years

Also of Hannah his daughter who died March 23rd 1826 aged 39 years

Also of Thomas his son who died July 27th 1838 aged 33 years

Also of Charles son of Robert and Sally Bamford

who died June 8th 1850 aged 16 years

Also of Betty daughter of Robert Bamford

who died 23rd December 1854 aged 10 years

Also of John Edward his son who died November 18th 1856 aged 10 months.


Here lieth the body of Charles, the son of James and Sally Hill of Calf Holes

Also Hannah, their daughter, who departed this life Sept 30th 1806 in the 3rd year of her age

Sacred to the memory of Susannah, the beloved wife of George W Burgess of Stansfield, who departed this life June 5th 1830 aged 23 years.

Also of James Hill of Calf Holes who departed this life October 9th 1837 aged 80 years. Also of Sally, relict of the above named James Hill obt. August 12th 1841 aged 78 years.

Also of John Thomas her son, who died February 25th 1866 aged 76 years. Also of Sarah, the daughter of the afore named James and Sally Hill of Calf Holes,

who died December 24th 1866 aged 64 years.

Also of Helen their daughter and wife of the above named George W Burgess,

who died November 24th 1872 aged 67 years.

Also the said George W Burgess who died February 27th 1877 aged 70 years.


Sacred to the memory of Amelia Catherine Burgess

who departed this life on the 9th day of December 1837 aged 55 years

Also of Elizabeth relict of George Warren Burgess of Bristol, merchant,

who died January 8th 1845 aged 74 years.

Also of Elizabeth Wynn their daughter who died September 16th 1870 aged 68 years

Also of Mary Ann Wynn their daughter who died February 7th 1872 aged 71 years.


In memory of Charles Hill of Durn who died 19th July 1830 aged 52 years

Also of Alice his wife, who died November 15th 1830 aged 42 years

Also of Sarah their daughter who died December 4th 1809 aged 10 months

Also of Jane their daughter who died July 8th 1825 aged 12 years

Also of Mary Ann their daughter who died November 15th 1825 aged 8 years

Also of Isaac their son who died January 20th 1861 aged 40 years

Also of Adam their son who died August 28th 1861 aged 49 years

Sacred to the memory of Helen the daughter of James and Fanny Hill of Rough

who departed this life January 31st 1824 aged 7 years

Also of Elizabeth their daughter who departed this life January 29th 1823 aged 2 years

Also the above named James Hill who departed this life June 10th 1830 aged 30 years


Sacred to the memory of Helen the daughter of James and Fanny Hill of Rough

who departed this life January 31st 1824 aged 7 years

Also of Elizabeth their daughter who departed this life January 29th 1823 aged 2 years

Also the above named James Hill who departed this life June 10th 1830 aged 30 years


In memory of Esther wife of Samuel Crowther of Todmorden died January 25th 1852 aged 38 years

Also of Samuel his son who died March 4th 1864 aged 2 years

Also of Esther his second wife who died May 28th 1865 aged 47 years

Also of the above named Samuel Crowther who died on the 28th March 1866 aged 57 years

Also of Susannah his daughter who died October 29th 1868 aged 28 years

Also of John H Crowther his son who died September 4th 1869 aged 28 years


In memory of Edward son of William and Caroline Cockcroft of Littleborough

Died May 20th 1852 aged 2 years

Also Mary Alice their daughter who died April 11th 1857 aged 2 years

Also the said William Cockcroft who died May 17th 1861 aged 39 years.


In memory of William Dawson of Littleborough who died 7th October 1868 aged 43 years

Also of Hannah the daughter of Joseph and Alice Greenhalgh of Ealees

who died July 26th 1869 aged 7 years

Also of Reuben their son who died August 17th 1869 aged 9 years.


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