Queen writes to Lostock church to congratulate it on its 100th birthday

St Thomas and St John’s Church is marking the milestone, and a letter on behalf of the Queen was read out during a special service to mark the centenary the foundation stone being laid.

The letter signed by Christopher Sandams, the Chief Clerk to the Queen, read:”Her Majesty was interested to learn of the history of the church of St Thomas and St John and appreciates your thoughtfulness in writing as you did.

“The Queen sends her best wishes and congratulations to all concerned as you celebrate this most special anniversary.”

A letter was also sent by the Archbishop of York.

The Archdeacon of Bolton, Ven David Bailey, was guest preacher at a celebration Evening Prayer service.

This was followed by the ministry team, choir, parishioners and visitors joining the Archdeacon at the foundation stone.

The Centenary Planning Group chairman Malcolm Ryding said: “The celebrations are doing very well.

“We have had two great starter services with the Bishop of Bolton, the Rt Rev Christopher Edmondson, and the Archdeacon of Bolton, the Ven David Bailey.

“Visitors have come from far and wide, as far as Carmarthen in Wales.

”A visitor to one service was George Dootson from Lostock, whose grandfather’s firm built the church.”

In 1912 the curate-in-charge, the Rev GP Winter, recommended the uniting of the two missions at Chew Moor and Lostock, and steps were taken for the erection of a temporary wooden church building.

Two years later saw the laying of the foundation stone and the dedication of the new wooden "temporary" building on October 6, where it still stands.

Next month the church will be raising money through a flower festival for The Christie in Manchester and Derian House children’s hospice at Chorley.

The festival will be opened on Friday, July 11, by children from Lostock School.

There will also be a balloon race and commemorative mugs and tea towels with a centenary logo on sale.