HALLIWELL St Thomas Church is celebrating its 140th anniversary.

While many churches are now consigned to history this church is still thriving all these years on.

Although the congregation is, today, smaller than it was 140 years ago it still holds a special place in the hearts and minds of its members.

So a wide range of events have been organised to mark this special occasion with the first taking place on May 9.

St Thomas The Apostle is in Eskrick Street in Halliwell and has a long and illustrious history in this area.

It was started when it became clear the population of Halliwell was not "adequately cared for spiritually", explains a book dedicated to the history of the church.

There was, at this time, just one church serving the district and that was St Paul's.

The population was growing rapidly in Halliwell with the church of St Paul consecrated in 1848 and provided for 500 people.

There was a plan to extend St Paul's to accommodate a further 300 worshippers and plans were put into place to build another church ne4ar town and this was St Matthew which was consecrated in 1876.

Had the original plan to extend St Paul's been carried out it is doubtful whether the parish church of St Thomas would ever have been built.

The Vicar of St Paul's, Reverend Arthur Packer (who gave his name to Packer Street in Halliwell) decided there was a need for another church and not simply the extension of his own.

Rev Packer was able to persuade Richard Horrocks Ainsworth (living at Smithills Hall) to postpone plans to extend the church and contribute the amount he would pay for that to build a new one.

Eventually the church was built in what was known then as "Velvet Walks" but became Grove Street.

The church cost £7,0000 to build and on July 17, 1875 the church was consecrated.

Irene Glassbrook and husband Stephen were married in the church 48 years ago when she was 21-years-old and Stephen, 24.

She lived in Bolton Street — which no longer exists — and Stephen was born and bred in Arnold Street. He was Christened at the church and attended St Thomas' School.

Rose queens were celebrated on Holy Harbour Ground and although the church no longer attracts the numbers it used to do it is still a popular part of the local community.

On Saturday May 9 the church is open from 11am to 3pm with displays from Halliwell Local History Society.

On Sunday May 10 there will be an anniversary celebration with Bishop David of Manchester.

Friday July 17 will feature the anniversary celebration with St Thomas School and Bishop Mark of Middleton followed by a concert at 1pm.

On Saturday July 25, at 2pm, there is a thanksgiving event for anyone who was married at the church and this will be led by Bishop Chris Edmondson who is Bishop of Bolton. There will be a short service followed by a cream tea.

Anyone who was married at the church or who has memorabilia of rose queens, mothers' union, brownies, guides, cubs, scouts, the tennis club, football club or sermons is asked to contact Irene on 01204 492590 or Sheila Marland on 01204 493305.

The organisers are also hoping to secure the loan of a tailor's dummy for displays.