It was founded in 1877 on Spring Lane and that church closed on 26th May 2009 and has now been demolished. A new church is on Belgrave St adjoining the schools opened on 29 May 2009.
A chapel was opened here from Ramsbottom in 1863. The first chapel was in a garret and then in a disused Methodist chapel. Fr. Makchy O'Callaghan, who later went to Oldham, was here as the first resident priest. Fr. Richard Gerrard was here from 1867 to 1871 before going to Samlesbury. Canon John Musseley opened a fresh chapel here in 1878, Fr. Fowler, later at Rishton, built the present church in 1894.
Among the priests of some note that served the parish in the present century, mention must be made of Fr. Arthur McGrath, author of a popular novel called Via Dolorosa. A gifted painter and linguist, Canon Edward Bray, died here in 1926. He was followed in his office by Dr. Frederick Coupe, a well-known figure in the diocese and an expert in Canon Law.
Taken from "Salford Diocese and its Catholic past", a survey by Charles A. Bolton, a Priest of the above Diocese. Published 1950 on the First Centenary for the Diocese of Salford.
The Spring Lane church was located
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