Wigan Album

Wigan Baptist Church, Scarisbrick Street, not Scarisbrick Baptist Church.

Marvellous painting of this church on King St. I’m glad I’m old enough to remember it. Well done to find it Daniel.

Thanks for the picture Daniel.
The first Baptist Church was on Lord Street, this was opened in 1796 and baptistry records describe baptisms being conducted in the River Douglas.
The second Baptist Church opened in the town centre in March 1827. Later it moved to King Street and on 4th May 1854 became known as King Street Baptist Church.
Om 13th October 1853 the current church then known as Scarisbrick Baptist Church was opened. There are records of a violent storm hitting the nearly completed church on Christmas Day 1852 reducing the building to rubble.
The two Baptist Churches in the town continued to develop with good relationships despite there being doctrinal difficulties.
In October1969 the King Street Baptist Church closed and amalgamated with Scarisbrick Street Baptist Church on the current site forming Wigan Baptist Church.
I sent a picture to PAD of the current church with a similar report but this has so far not appeared,

Colin, yes that’s correct it closed in Oct 1969 because the TSB wanted to be the property. They retained a stained glass window and the pulpit to the Scarisbrick street Baptist. Unfortunately during the demolition period because of demolition work the building caught fire and completely gutted in Feb 1970.

Thanks Daniel.
I am always suspicious about all the ‘convenient’ fires that seemed to hit many buildings in Wigan in the 1950’s and 60’s Hippodrome, Pendlebury’s etc. it does make you wonder.

I remember this building from when I worked next door at the old TSB, where Platt and Fishwick solicitors are now.I went inside with some work colleagues one dinner hour.

Dem, you are right that was my mistake. I meant to write scarisbrick Street.

Exactly Colin it does make you wonder, especially when those mysterious, but very convenient fires carried on happening over the years, with many other buildings being in the way catching fire.
I and many others too, keep expecting the Rylands (Pagefield) Mill to go the same way. Sad really as when it was sold after the college moved out it was still in pristine condition, and the buyer was said to have apartments in mind much the same as had happened in Manchester and Burnley, though nothing happened and the rest you know with it being left to decay.