St Michaels Parbold Church, Dalton, Skelmersdale...

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The Village of Dalton and the Church of St Michael & All Angels – A Brief History

The Village

View from Ashurst Hill looking north east

The parish of Dalton comprises a ridge of high land with its north east slopes facing the River Douglas. The highest point of the ridge, Ashurst Hill (174m) commands splendid views of the surrounding countryside for many miles.

Ashurst Beacon about 1905

On its summit stands the prominent landmark of Ashurst Beacon which was erected at the time of the Napoleonic Wars.

With its elevated position above the mosses and lowland plain of South West Lancashire to the west, Dalton attracted settlement from earliest times. It is recorded in the Doomsday Book as Daltone and had assumed its present name by 1212.

From being a single possession of the thane Uctred in 1086, the land of the parish had passed into family ownership by the time of the Civil War.

Ashurst Hall, dovecote and pond

Ashurst Hall, the seat of the Ashurst family, certainly existed in 1649, probably earlier. The original gatehouse and dovecote remain next to the pond behind the church. Ashurst Hall has been renovated several times.

The parish is characterised by a mosaic of pasture, woodlands, streams, lanes, banks and hedgerows. Many of the fields are irregular in shape, varying in size and mainly hedged. There are signs of woodland clearances which have taken place over the centuries.

Ashurst Hill and surrounding fields from the air

Bringing in the sheaves. Lees Lane c.1910

Many streams and rivulets fall through wooded cloughs to the River Douglas. Natural ponds abound and the adjacent Leeds-Liverpool Canal follows the course of the river. An ancient network of winding lanes, tracks and footpaths criss-crosses the parish.

The Church

Dalton Tithe Barn Church 1870

The story of the church begins in 1870 when Dalton Tithe Barn was converted for use as a church. The Wigan Observer of 12th August 1870 reported that "the Tithe Barn of Dalton has been made as much like a church as the rudeness of the structure permits". The barn held 130 worshippers.

Church about 1900

It soon became clear that the Tithe Barn was too small for the requirements of the parish. The foundation stone for the present church was laid by Lady Skelmersdale on St Michael and All Angel’s Day, 29th September 1875. It was sited adjacent to the Tithe Barn on ground which had originally been the orchard of Ashurst Hall.

It was built from sandstone taken from the local “Round O” quarry owned by Lord Skelmersdale and was consecrated on 29th September 1877.

School in 1930s

Two years later, a new school was built close to the church using materials taken from the old Tithe Barn Church. It replaced a National School which had been condemned by H.M Inspectors in 1877.The new school was inaugurated on 5th May 1879.

William Henry Skene

Between 1903 and 1921 the church was served by two members of an unusual family, Rev William Henry Skene and Rev Samuel Warren Skene. They were the sons of the Reverend S.S. Skene, a Linconshire vicar. The family comprised of seven boys all of whom were beneficed clergymen in the church of England.

William Skene was appointed Military Chaplain to the remount department stationed at nearby Lathom House during the First World War.

Northern part of Skelmersdale

The parish boundaries were extended in 1982 to take in the northern part of Skelmersdale New Town. This increased the population to about 7,000. A new vicarage was provided for the incumbent in Ashurst, Skelmersdale where the new population lived.

New car park 2002

Fire damage 1988

In July 1988, the interior of the church was devastated by a fire. Eventually, the chancel roof was replaced and the interior of the church was re-ordered and new furniture was made in limed oak. The church was re-wired and a new organ and heating system provided at the same time

In 2002 the new owners of Ashurst Hall acquired the field on the north side of the church and converted it for use as a local amenity. This has provided a car park and green space and is used by the many visitors to the church and school.

The new owners also donated a strip of land to extend the existing graveyard on the north side. Today, the church is a busy place and a significant landmark in the local area known as “The Church on The Hill”.

Church interior 2006

Church interior c.1906