Lizzie's Local History Book, Coal Mining, Swinton, Pendlebury, Clifton, Worsley, City Of Salford.
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  • LOCAL HISTORY HOME PAGE
  • WAR MEMORIALS
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    • SWINTON CENOTAPH
    • R.A.F. SWINTON MEMORIAL
    • ST. PETERS LYCHGATE
    • SWINTON METHODIST CHURCH
    • ST. MARY'S CHURCH WAR MEMORIAL
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    • ST. AUGUSTINES CHURCH
    • ST. JOHN THE EVANGALIST
    • CLIFTON WAR MEMORIAL
  • SWINTON & PENDLEBURY MAPS ETC
  • SWINTON INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
  • SWINTON HALL
  • PENDLEBURY MORRIS DANCERS
  • PENDLEBURY MINERS CLUB
  • HALLIGANS - NEW CROSS INN
  • ANDREW KNOWLES & SONS
  • SIR LEES KNOWLES of Westwood & Turton Tower
  • MINERS RIOTS IN PENDLEBURY
  • CLIFTON HALL COLLIERY EXPLOSION
  • ST. AUGUSTINES - THE MINERS CATHEDRAL
  • ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SWINTON
  • ST. MARY'S OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
  • ST AMBROSE BARLOW WARDLEY HALL
  • SWINTON UNITARIAN CHURCH & SCHOOL
  • THE LAST MAYORS OF SWINTON & PENDLEBURY
  • SWINTON PARK MANSIONS
    • LAWNSWOOD HOUSE
    • SWINTON HOUSE PARKFIELD & LIGHTBOURNE GREEN
    • OAKWOOD PARK INGLESIDE, THE PRIORY & THE HAVEN
  • BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE AT WOODGATE ROW CLIFTON
  • PILKINGTON'S TILES
  • WALLWORK HISTORY
  • History Of The Wallwork Surname
  • JESSE WALLWORK
  • The Duke of Bridgewater to The Bridgewater Trustees to The Earl of Ellesmere to Bridgewater Estates
  • LIZZIE'S LENS
  • ART GALLERY
Lizzie's Local History Book, Coal Mining, Swinton, Pendlebury, Clifton, Worsley, City Of Salford.

Short History of
Swinton Unitarian Church, School

& it's Congregation
.

Research and written content ©Wallwork History.


313 Resting In Peace

  They have no voices

they have no say

they are just quite simply

in ASDA's way

the great big developers

want the land where they lay

to turn around their lorries

in the loading bay

313 souls rest in peace

by

Lizzie Leek



My interest is in preserving and sharing local history where possible. Therefore, my only interest in this cause is for the people who are buried in the Swinton Unitarian Church yard, and their descendants most of whom were born and bred in Swinton.

Swinton Unitarian Church was the result of humble and faithful efforts of the hardworking men and their families of Swinton. The people who are buried in Swinton Unitarian church yard were a thriving congregation many years ago who chose their final resting place in the heart of Swinton on reflection of this. Many of them helped to build and maintain repairs of the church and school.

The Swinton Unitarians ran a thriving Sunday School, Ladies Sewing and embroidery classes, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Cubs and Brownies, Cricket Club, Tennis Club, Young Men's Social Club, and Dramitic Society, Regular weekly Whist Drives along with other meetings including the Power Loom Overlookers, the poor Law Workers union, the blind Aid Society. They also had their own library.

Another very important historical point about Swinton Unitarian Church is that the Rev Wm. Gaskell often preached there, he was the husband of the well know author Elizabeth Gaskell who wrote amongst others Cranford. Rev Wm. Gaskell actually performed the opening sermon at the Church on May 12th 1858 prior to that it was Swinton Chapel.

313 people chose Swinton Unitarian Church as their final resting place to rest in peace forever in 55 plots where they and their families attended and supported the church and school. 

As far as I am aware the Unitarian Church was sold with a covenant of 50 years in 1984 when it fell into a state of disrepair. Salford Council sold the land on with the convent of 50 years in tact which protected the burial ground from being built upon until 50 years had passed from the last burial which was Harriet Ashton b 1868 Swinton d 1962 Swinton wife of Wallace Ashton.

Since 1984 when the church was demolished and sold to the council, the headstones were removed and it was left as a grassed over area. Due to the fact that there was no sign up stating that the grassed over mound was in fact a burial ground many people were not aware of it, hence, it was thought to just be a grass verge. The car park at Swinton was built around the church yard and has remained so until now being November 2012.

The nearest Unitarian Church is at Monton, so the Swinton congregation disbursed in 1984. The last burial at the Swinton Unitarian Burial Ground was in 1962 (50 years ago to date 2012) 

ASDA have now built a new store in Swinton they were granted permission to remove 313 people buried at Swinton Unitarian Church Yard to make way for a turning point for their delivery HGV's.
As of November 2012

All those buried at Swinton Unitarian Church Yard are now re-interred at Swinton Cemetery.



Swinton Unitarian Burial Book
Please Note:- All those buried at Swinton Unitarian Church Yard have now been re-interred at Swinton Cemetery,
Cemetery Road, Swinton


OFFICERS OF SWINTON UNITARIAN CHURCH 

1820 – 1921 1921 - 1958


PRESIDENTS 1820-1921

Henry E. Ermen

George H. Leigh

B.G. Ermen – Vice-President

CHAIRMEN OF COMMITTEE

Henry E. Ermen 

 Reuben Pollitt

Colin Johnson 

Robert Royle

Walter Johnson 

Walter Stott

James Cadman 

Lee Jones

Arthur Evans

CHURCH TREASURERS

Peter Holland 

James H. Jackson

Henry E. Ermen 

James E. Musker

Walter Johnson 

Walter Stott

SECRETARIES

George Dawson

 Walter Johnson

Henry Johnson 

James Cadman

James Wroe 

Ambrose Brookes

James Longworth 

Thomas Royle

Horace Lansdale 

Fred Jones

Colin Johnson 

Thomas Royle

OFFERTORY STEWARDS

George Dawson 

Thomas Royle

James Pollitt 

James Sharples

John Royle, Senr. 

Hy. Longworth

Herbert Clayton

ORGANISTS

James Boardman 

John Sharples

George Lea 

L.G. H. Crook

James Rowe 

John Sharples

James Sharples.

CARETAKERS

Lee Worthington 

James Rothewell

William Collier 

William Barlow

Henry Longworth 

Mrs. Henry Longworth, Senr.

Joseph Schofield

OFFICERS OF SUNDAY SCHOOL

SUPERINTENDENTS

William Collier 

Lee Jones

Henry Pearson 

Reuben Pollitt

Walter Johnson 

Arthur Evans

Luke Smith 

Walter Phillips

Charles Pollitt 

James H. Gee

SECRETARIES

Henry Longworth, Senr. 

James H. Jackson

Colin Johnson 

Harry pollitt

Walter Johnson 

Samuel Royle

Charles Pollitt 

Robert Pennington

Wilfred Charlton 

Thomas Cadman

Robert Pennington

FINANCIAL SECRETARIES

James H. Jackson 

John Collier

Thomas Royle 

Robert Pennington

Harry Pollitt 

Alice Royles

Ernest Maddock 

J.H. Johnson

Ella Brookes

BANK MANAGERS

Peter Holland 

Herbert Johnson

William Royle 

John Charlton

Walter Johnson 

Ambrose Brookes

James Cadman 

John Royle, Junr.

Henry Worthington 

Thomas Cadman

REGISTRARS

Edward Knight 

Frank Collier

James H. Jackson 

Leonard Johnson

Thomas Royle 

Lee Longworth

Ambrose Brookes 

Elizabeth Lee

Henry Longworth 

Thomas Cadman

John Royle, Junr. 

Rowland V Sharples

LIBRARIANS

Lee Jones 

Miss S.A. Pollitt

Herbert Johnson 

William Jackson

Charles Pollitt 

Robert Pennington

Frank Charlton 

Miss Mary Collier

Reuben Pollitt 

Miss J. Collier

James Smith 

Miss N. Pollitt

Frank Pollitt 

Miss Alice Royles

Ernest Smith 

Miss Elizabeth Lee

George Pollitt 

Miss Annie Longworth

Henry Longworth 

Miss Annie Pollitt

SCHOOL ORGANISTS

John Worthington 

James Sharples

Mrs. Frank Pollitt 

Alice Sharples

H. V. Sharples

JUNIOR ROLL SECRETARY

Miss Eva Thorley

HON. MEMBER SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Miss Mary Longworth

OFFICER OF THE CHURCH 1921 - 1958

CHAIRMAN


1920 L. Jones 

1933-34 J. Holker 

1921 A. Evans 

1935 E. pollitt 

1922-23 W. Phillips 

1936 F. Platt 

1924 W. Brookes 

1937 W. H. Cadman 

1925 F. Pollitt 

1938-40 A. Hughes 

1926 A. Wallwork 

1941  F. Platt 

1927 T. Royle 

1942-43 F. Jones 

1928 F. Pollitt 

1944 W. H. Cadman 

1929 T. Howard 

1945-46 F. Platt 

1930 A. Wallwork 

1947-53 R. Royle 

1931 L. Johnson 

1954-55 J. Evans 

1932 F. Smedley 

1956-58 T. Howard

SECRETARIES TREASURERS

1920 F. Jones 

1920 J. E. Musker

1921-26 T. Royle 

1921-30 W. Stott

1927-30 J. Holker 

1931-48 A. Wallwork

1931-33 S. Cron 

1949-58 E. Brookes

1934 L. Johnson

1935-37 A. Aspa

1938-44 L. Lee

1945-48 F.B Harris

1949-58 F. Johnson

OFFERTORY STEWARDS ORGANISTS

1920 H. Longworth 

1917-51 J. Sharples

1921-51 H Clayton 

1951-52 P. S. Rogerson

1952-56 Mrs S. Cron 

1953-58 Mrs L. Brown

1957-58 L. Johnson

Extracts from History of Unitarian Cause Swinton 1820-1921 1920-1958



As you will see from the surnames names above and those who were laid to rest at Swinton Unitarian Burial Ground many of them were local shop keepers, builders, weavers and miners in Swinton.

Among the 313 people buried at Swinton Unitarian Church Yard are:-

Pte Wilbraham Lomax Blears served in WW1 his paternal family Blears also lived in Swinton dating back to 1841 they were working in the local cotton mills and before that probably at home as weavers like many other fellow Swintonians.


Picture

March 1918

Lee Longworth KIA France 26yrs 9 Sept 1918

James Collier died on active service buried in France 34yrs 2 Nov 1918

James Wolstenholme died at Devonport New Zealand 30yrs 21st Ap​ril 1914

Kenneth Lee RASC died in West Africa 26 yrs 19 Jan 1942

family grave inscriptions in Swinton Unitarian Church Yard are, 

(see SWARM for their service history.)

L/Cpl Henry Worthington Smith reported missing 28yrs 24th March 1918

Lee Longworth KIA France 26yrs 9 Sept 1918

James Collier died on active service buried in France 34yrs 2 Nov 1918

James Wolstenholme died at Devonport New Zealand 30yrs 21st April 1914

Kenneth Lee RASC died in West Africa 26 yrs 19 Jan 1942

Kenneth Lee Agnew, RAFVR missing presumed killed over Germany 22yrs 14/15th Jan 1944

also

John Pollitt died at Kalgoorlie Western Australia 36yrs 13 June 1909

Clifton Pit Explosion of 1885

Also buried at Swinton Unitarian are three brave men who lost their lives in the Clifton Pit Explosion of 1885 which killed 178 men and boys, these men being:-

Joseph Pearson plot no 37 aged 49 of 13 Park St, Swinton was brought out of the pit alive but died a few days later from injuries, he was a day wageman who left behind his wife Sarah Ann and 5 children.

John Collier plot no 38 aged 35 of 5 Folly Lane, bricklayer killed in the pit 18th June 1885 left behind a wife Alice.

John Mannion plot no 16 aged 25 of Holland Street, Swinton coal miner killed in the pit 18th June 1885 left behind 4 children.



Peter Holland

Local Jeweller, author and artist Peter Holland and his family are also buried at Swinton Unitarian Church Yard. 

Peter Holland was a well known jeweller who had a shop on Chorley Road Swinton for over 60 years.

Here is an extract regarding the Unitarians taken from “Recollections of Old Swinton” by Peter Holland printed in 1914

“The Unitarians have also been established on Swinton Hall Road, their first meeting place was in a stable yard behind Pendlebury House, during the time that James Aspinal Turner Esq., M.P. Lived there. I believe during that time a minister lived in Swinton, but for some cause, unknown to me, the congregation broke up. Sometime afterwards the remnants of the former cause began to meet for worship in a room over a stable at the back of the White Lion Inn. In those days they suffered considerable persecution, being pelted with rotten eggs and the like. This kept many of the faint-hearted ones from joining them. After this the services were removed to the house of Mr. Wm . Boardman, of Temple Lodge Farm, who was at that time the leader and superintendent of the Unitarian body. On anniversary days, if the weather were favourable, the services would be held in the open air; if wet, in the barn. The christening of children at Mr. Boardman's house, by Mr. Boardman was a very common occurrence. Mr. Boardman, was a good, kind-hearted Christian gentleman, and highly respected by all who knew him. He often preached to the Congregation, and his sermons were always much appreciated. After this, they built a School in Jane Lane, near the Roman Catholic Chapel. Over the door there was a stone, on which were cut the words:- “To us, there is but one God, the Father.”

Services were regularly held here on Sundays, and were conducted by students and ministers by arrangement. Amongst some who came to preach were Dr. Beard and Rev. Wm. Gaskell (husband of Mrs. Gaskell, the novelist). Mr. Boardman often taking the services. In 1857 the foundation stones of the present Church and Schools in Swinton Hall Road were laid by James Aspinal Turner, Esq., M.P., since when the work has gone on under the care of many different ministers.” From Recollections of Old Swinton by Peter Holland printed in 1914 Here is a Description of Swinton Unitarian church given by S.Crook:- “The Rev Mr J. Booth, Mr. Silas Leigh of Monton and Mr. Turner of Pendlebury gave £50.00 each to build a new chapel and schoolroom. The foundation stone was laid on Sat 17th April 1857, and the chapel was opened next year on May 12th 1858 by the Rev. Wm. Gaskell and J.P. Ham. The building, as originally planned, was deigned to hold three hundred people. The elevation is in Gothic style, and the material used white and red brick, with substantial stone dressing. The facade is divided into three sections by buttresses. The entrance is surmounted by a three-light window. On each side are five tow-light windows, with a substantial buttress between each. The interior is near, the roof being open-timbered. A schoolroom, thirty feet long by twenty-four feet wide, adjoined the chapel, and provision was made for a burial ground.”


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Research and written content ©Wallwork History.​
2005


Source of information for the history of Swinton Unitarian's:-
Extacts taken from Recollections of Old Swinton by Peter Holland printed in 1914
History of the Unitarian Cause, Swinton 1820 – 1921 by S. Crook
The Unitarian Cause in Swinton 1920 – 1958 by Rev. B. Godfrey B.A.
Swinton & Pendlebury Journals

PLEASE NOTE:- If you wish to share any images/research from my website either contact me or post an acknowledgement link to my website. I am all in favour of preserving and sharing our local history.  It is therefore not my intention to infringe anyone else's copyrights.
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