The foundation stone was laid on 29 May 1858 and the building designed by architect George Shaw of Saddleworth was finished in June 1859. The Rt. Rev. Dr Prince Lee the Lord Bishop of Manchester consecrated the church on 30 June 1959. The first baptisms were performed on 10 July 1859 by William Goodall, Curate. Wingates was accorded parish status on 26 March 1860 incorporating parts of Lostock in Bolton Parish to the north, and to the south the area of Westhoughton in Deane Parish that lay north of the Bolton-Wigan railway. A vicar was appointed and the church licensed for marriages in late 1860 with the first wedding taking place on 1 December 1860 between William Fowell aged 27, bachelor of the Parish of St John’s, Hulme, Manchester, Joiner, and Barbara Davis, aged 25, spinster of Wingates Parish, Domestic Servant. The churchyard was consecrated for burials on 5 May 1866 with the first interment on 9 Jun 1866. of 18 years old James Holden of Wingates, buried by the Rev. George S. Hodges.\n\n