Church of St Thomas Bedford Leigh

The first Church at Bedford, built on the site where the present church stands, was consecrated on Monday, October 12th, 1840, by the Lord Bishop of Chester, Dr John Bird Sumner. The site of the Church and Graveyard, measuring 4243 square yards, was conveyed by the Executors of Mr. Thomas Boardman, of Pennington, on November 19th, 1839, for the sum of £250. Messrs. Mills and Butterworth, of Manchester, were the architects, and Mr. Haddock of Warrington, was the builder. The Foundation Stone was laid by the Rt. Hon. Lord Lilford on Thursday, November 21st, 1839, at 11.30 am. [church website]