ST JAMES CHURCH / DRONE + INSIDE THE BELL TOWER / DJI MINI3 / GOPRO 13BLACK

ST JAMES CHURCH / DRONE + INSIDE THE BELL TOWER, WIGAN

St James’ Church, Poolstock – A Sleeping Giant Ready to Rise Again

In the heart of Poolstock, Wigan, stands St James’ Church — not just a building of stone and slate, but a colossal landmark of faith, history, and human endeavour. This is no ordinary parish church; it is a Grade II listed treasure*, a sentinel of industry and spirit, waiting to be reawakened as the beating heart of its community.

A Legacy Forged in Industry and Faith

Born in an age of iron and ambition, St James’ was the vision of Nathaniel Eckersley — colliery proprietor, Member of Parliament, and benefactor of the people. In 1863, he laid its foundation stone; by 1866, a great gothic masterpiece rose above Wigan’s skyline, consecrated to the memory of his brother James.

This was no modest chapel. It was a statement — that faith and industry could stand side by side, that workers deserved beauty, and that Wigan’s identity could be carved in sandstone and stained glass. At a cost of £15,000 (the equivalent of £1.8 million today), Eckersley invested not in brick and mortar, but in legacy.

For more than a century, its bells rang out across Poolstock, guiding generations through worship, work, and war. And when neighbouring St Thomas closed its doors in 1970, St James’ became a haven of unity — a reminder that even in decline, it held fast.

Architecture That Inspires Awe

The church is nothing less than cathedral-like in presence. Designed by E. G. Paley, its form is one of strength, vision, and reverence:

A tower of five stages, commanding the horizon, crowned with crocketted pinnacles and a pierced parapet — an emblem of watchfulness.

A five-bay nave, flanked by battlemented aisles, with clerestory windows that bathe the interior in light.

A chancel of trefoiled grace, anchored by a rose window and a magnificent five-light east window, drawing the eye heavenward.

Every frieze, parapet, and tracery speaks of a people who built not for the moment, but for centuries.

St James’ is no relic. It is a fortress of memory and possibility.

The Call to Revival

But time, as it does, has dimmed its glory. Today, St James’ waits. Its stones still whisper with history, its tower still casts its shadow over Poolstock, yet its potential lies dormant.

This is our chance — to breathe life back into its walls, to make it once again the centre of community, heritage, and hope. Imagine:

A community hub where neighbours gather not just to worship, but to learn, connect, and thrive.

A genealogy centre linking families to their roots, weaving together the stories of Wigan’s past.

A place where art, culture, and history converge — reviving the spirit of Eckersley’s vision for a workers’ village with a soul.



St James’ is more than a church. It is a challenge. It asks us: Will we let this sleeping giant crumble into silence, or will we raise it up as a beacon once more?

To take up this task is not simply to restore a building. It is to rekindle pride, to honour heritage, and to gift the future something truly magnificent.

St James’ stands ready. It always has.

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Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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DISCLAIMER
Any property I visit I visit to capture the story and document in form of pictures and video.
I visit and leave without a trace leaving nothing behind and taking nothing from the property other than memories.

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