St Edmund's Church in Bolton is scheduled for demolition in October, following a notice from the Diocese of Salford. The 165-year-old building, located on St Edmund Street off Deansgate, has been deemed 'no longer in use and in disrepair' by the diocese.
Demolition Notice and Timeline
Bolton Council published the notice of proposed demolition, which applies to the church, parish hall, and presbytery. The site will be 'levelled, top-soiled and seeded'. The application states: 'The applicant has applied to Bolton borough council planning department for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required as to the method of demolition of St Edmund's RC Church and parish hall and any proposed restoration of the site. Subject to the above, and utility disconnections, the applicant proposes to commence demolition work on October 4, 2026.'
Parishioners Informed in 2024
In 2024, Canon Michael Cooke, chair of the Salford diocesan trustees' property committee, wrote to parishioners confirming the permanent closure. His letter said: 'Further investigation of the property, including the hall below the church and the adjacent presbytery, has led the diocesan trustees to conclude that it would not be viable to re-open the church. I appreciate that this may not be the news you were hoping to hear, even if you may have anticipated it after these 18 months of closure, but it is the only way forward in the circumstances. Maintaining empty property is also unsustainable in the longer term, the trustees will be looking to demolish the buildings as soon as is practically possible.' He added that the diocese would consider future development or disposal of the site.
History and Future
St Edmund's had been a place of worship since 1861, originally serving the poor Irish community of Bolton's industrial era. It later became popular with the local Ukrainian community. The church was temporarily closed in 2023 due to health and safety issues. Former worshippers have been encouraged to attend nearby St Patrick's Church.
