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History of Halsall Church

When we look at the history of Halsall Church we find that there are a number of unanswered questions. Firstly, why was such a large medieval church built in this remote part of the West Lancashire countryside? Secondly, when was the first church built?

Most of the present church dated from the 14th century but the records of Rectors of the parish record that there was some form of religious centre here from 1190 onwards. It is probable that this earlier church just comprised a nave and small chancel and that this was previously just a stone cross.

Around the early 1300s work began on building the present structure by replacing the north wall by the present octagonal pillars and north aisle. Similarly, the south side was extended giving us the nave that we now have.

Prior to the Reformation there were chantry chapels at the east end of the churchon both the north and south aisles. The piscina for both of these still exist in the current building. Later on a wooden gallery was added and this extended across the west end in front of the tower's arch. The gallery remained until the 1880s.

An undated ground-plan (probably from around 1823) shows box pews and a three decker pulpit close to where the present stone lectern is located.