Wigan Building Preservation Trust

An overview of the project to investigate the restoration of the Chapels at Ince Cemetery, designed by the eminent Victorian architect, Alfred Waterhouse in 1855.

Joining the Friends group means helping to preserve a key asset of the heritage of Ince. Friends will receive regular updates to heritage talks and guided tours.

A brief article describing the original reasons for building the chapels and the appointment of Alfred Waterhouse as architect and the costs, plus the evolution of churches in Ince.

Drone footage with commentary on the history of the Chapels

Find your relatives buried in the Cemetery

The Manchester School of Architecture contributed to the Waterhouse Chapels project through its MSA Live programme, where students were actively involved in researching and articulating possible programme opportunities for the site.

Lots of articles and resources from our volunteers and friends, charting some of the history of Ince

View old maps of Higher & Lower Ince from 1849 to 1948.

Find your family, and neighbours from this comprehensive list of Ince streets in 1968.

Originally published by Victorian County History, London, 1911.

A selection of Ince related old photograhs and surrounding areas. Courtesy of Ron Hunt & Brian Elsey of wiganworld - Trustees of Wigan Building Preseration Trust

Extracted from ‘The War Graves of the British Empire’ Register, published in 1930. Courtesy of Ron Hunt of wiganworld. These burials refer to servicemen of the Navy, Army and Air Force who died in the U.K. during or after the First World War as a result of disease or illness or injuries sustained in battle.

Find graves at Wigan, Gidlow, Hindley, Ince and Westwood Cemeteries, with kind permission of wiganworld

Wigan Building Preservation Trust (WBPT) - All the Listed Buildings within Wigan Council area, including non-listed buildings that are of historical and architectural interest.

An exceptional collection of photos, history and memories of Wigan

A collection of articles and resources relating to the history of the Hall, the people and the wider estate of Haigh

Ordnance survey maps of Wigan from the 1840's onwards

Some cameo pieces by one of our members - Images courtesy of Wigan Archives

Although Derek has lived in Illinois, USA, for 40 years, he returns to Wigan nearly every year and has written extensively on local history.

Films, videos and presentations on Wigan from early times to the present day, a long list. Enjoy! Any favourites?

Graham Taylor specialises in military history, telling the stories of local regiments, the soldiers that served in them, and of their families and communities from the early 19th century to modern day. Also topics of local interest including heritage buildings, establishments and individuals.

Recollections and memories of growing up in Wigan in the 1950s & 1960s.

Stories and presentations from Jim who is a retired civil servant with an interest in local and family history, as well as archaeology.

The Makerfield Rambler - Anthony Pilgrim takes us on his rambles around Ashton-in-Makerfield and the surrounding districts, investigating historical events, locations, and personalities.

The Queens Hall is a grade 2 listed building, and as such, needs urgent action to repair the "at-risk" façade sympathetically.

Video highlighting the need for sympathetic renovation and restoration of this iconic building. The Queens Hall has been a landmark in Wigan since 1907

We invite you to be part of this crucial effort. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal of preserving this historic landmark. Together, we can safeguard the Queen's Hall and its legacy for future generations.

Our history spans decades and we are proud of our heritage which began in Wigan as Queen’s Hall Methodist Mission.

The Queen’s Hall is honoured to have two plaques dedicated to Wigan Athletic and Margery Booth reflecting the building’s contribution to the heritage and culture of Wigan. Also a trailer and a documentary of Margery Booth.

The Brick has always been part of Queen's Hall Mission. It was started at the Hall in 2004 with an evening cafe twice a week after the first Christmas shelter. From there it moved to the Bricklayers Arms in Hallgate.

Life and work of the architect

The people involved in the laying of the foundation stones and their munificent donations

Details of the War Memorials held at the Queens Hall Mission in Market Street, Wigan. By Graham Taylor

Designed for the new Hall in 1992 by the respected Wigan artist Gerald Rickards, including an overview of its content. Also a brief history of the life and works of Gerald.

Several publications and articles charting the Methodist Movement in Wigan since the times of John Wesley

A collection of material from the Wigan Observer relating to the Queen's Hall - "in no particular order!"