LOCAL AREA

Skelmersdale is a town in West Lancashire, England. It has a population of around about 38,000 people and is perhaps best known for it's many roundabouts!

Until the creation of Skelmersdale Urban District Council at the end of the 19th century, the town was part of the Parish of Ormskirk in the West Derby (hundred), an ancient subdivision of Lancashire, covering the south-west of the county.

Skelmersdale's population in 1851 was only 760 but 50 years later it had increased to 5,699. It was a busy coal mining town. In 1880 there were 14 Skelmersdale collieries - most of them closed in the 1920s and 30s. Today, there is little to remind people that the town was ever associated with the once great Lancashire Coalfield.

Skelmersdale was designated a New Town in 1961, designed to house overspill population from the north Merseyside conurbation. Due to the arrival of a large number of former Liverpool residents, the town retains a strong association with Liverpool to which it is linked via the M58 motorway.

The town has faced many economic and social challenges over the years but has always retained a strong and pioneering spirit. The Christian churches have been, and continue to be, very much at the heart of building community in Skem.

Up Holland Pastoral Area

The Archdiocese of Liverpool is organised into 24 Pastoral Areas. Our parish, is part of the Up Holland Pastoral Area and our Parish Priest, Fr Mike Thompson is the Pastoral Area Leader.

Details of the other parishes within our area are found below:

Our Lady & All Saints, Lancaster Lane, Parbold

Parish Priest:         Fr Gordon Beattie OSB
Personnel:             Dcns David Bennett, Brian Norman

Address:               
The Priory, Lancaster Lane, Parbold, Wigan, WN8 7HS

Tel:                       01257-463248

Fax:                      01257-462495

Email:                    parbold@hotmail.com

Website:                www.ourladysparbold.org.uk

Sunday Masses:    Sat     6pm, Sun    10am

St Bernadette, Wigan Road, Shevington

Parish Priest:         Fr John Hindley               

Address:           
St Marie's Presbytery, Almond Brook Road, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0TB

Tel:                       01257-423291

Fax:                      01257-472213

Email:                    jointparishes@gmail.com

Website:                www.stbernadettesshevington.org.uk

Sunday Masses:    Sat     5.30pm, Sun    9.30am

St James, St James' Road, Orrell

Parish Priest:         Fr Gerard Tuite FDP        

Personnel:             Dcn Joseph Lloyd

Address: 
St James' Presbytery, St James' Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7AA

Tel:                       01695-622476

Email:                    gerry54@hotmail.co.uk

Sunday Masses:    Sat     6pm, Sun    8.30am, 10.30am

St Joseph, Crow Orchard Road, Wrightington

Parish Priest:         Fr Kevin Mulhearn 

Address: 
St Joseph's Presbytery, Crow Orchard Road/Hall Lane, Wrightington, Wigan, WN6 9PA

Tel:                       01257-422879

Sunday Masses:    Sun    8.30am, 10.45am, 6pm

St Marie of the Annunciation, Almond Brook Road, Standish

Parish Priest:         Fr John Hindley               

Address:       
St Marie's Presbytery, Almond Brook Road, Standish, Wigan, WN6 0TB

Tel:                       01257-423291

Fax:                      01257-472213

Email:                    jointparishes@gmail.com

Website:                www.stmariesstandish.co.uk

Sunday Masses:    Sat     7pm, Sun    11am

St Teresa, College Road, Up Holland

Parish Priest:         Fr Tony Slingo       

Address:  
St Teresa's Presbytery, College Road, Up Holland, Skelmersdale, WN8 0PY

Tel:                       01695-622001
Fax:                      0845-280-0635
Email:                  stteresas.upholland@rcaolp.co.uk

Sunday Masses:    Sat     6pm, Sun    8.30am (Up Holland Carmel), 10am