I have often been tempted to write about Holy Trinity Church but I have now decided to give my memories and certain facts about Holy Trinity.

First of all some facts about its history:-

The foundation stone was laid on the 2nd October 1837 at 12 o'clock noon, by the Rt. Hon Lord Stanley M.P. At the service a version of the Old Hundredth Psalm led by the Ashton Sunday School children, the Te Deum and ended with the National Anthem. The prayers were said by Rev.J.J. Hornby of Winwick.

The actual building started and by Spring 1838 the church was ready for services.

The first vicar was Rev. Harold H. Sherlock and the opening service was on Sunday morning the 22nd April 1838.

Now my memories:-

My mother Doris Lowe was married at Holy Trinity Church by the Rev. W.Williams. She was married to Ernest Nicholson who was then aged 27 and my mother was 24. This was the 8th June 1929 and I was born on the 24th April 1930 but christened at the Methodist Chapel as my father was Methodist.

I was married at Holy Trinity by Rev.William Robert H. Hall. I was married to John Stanley Pendlebury M.P.S. He was aged 30 and I was 21. This was on the 23rd February 1952.

My memories of Rev Hall were amusing and memorable. After the birth of our daughter Catherine in 1955 we arranged for Rev Hall to christen her. He asked was I going to be 'Churched' and I refused saying I didn't actually believe in it. He talked to me for over an hour and persuaded me that I was merely thanking God for a beautiful and precious baby. I agreed to his wishes and have never been sorry that he persuaded me.

As a child I went to church on Sunday mornings and was always intrigued by Rev Hall sermons. How did he always manage to finish his service at 12 noon dead? He never appeared to look at his watch at all. The answer was given to me some years later by Britton Fairless the pharmacist in Ashton where Stanley worked. Rev Hall used to purchase gelatine lozenges from Britton Fairless and would put one under his tongue when climbing the pulpit steps. He knew when this lozenge had dissolved that it was time for him to close his service. No wonder he didn't appear to worry about the time - very ingenious I think.

I liked Rector Hall and felt I could talk to him and I know some people thought he was somewhat unorthodox but he was a very kind man and very understanding as far as I knew him.

I have a book by Hilda Plant about the Story of our Church, Holy Trinity which is very interesting and I think there is a copy at the History Shop in Wigan. My Auntie Muriel received the book in July 1987 from Hilda.

Joyce Riddick (Nicholson)

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