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
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 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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.”
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.”
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
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.
