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REMOVE ST THOMAS FROM ASHTON ST THOMAS Lancashire is by far one of England's most populated counties. Yet from early times Lancashire possessed only about 75 ancient parishes (equivalent to a parish in other counties)- far fewer than most other counties, making it exceptionally unique among all of England's counties. To handle the dramatic population explosion within its county boundaries, the Church of England created hundreds of chapels of ease (or chapelries) and district churches, each one attached to an ancient parish. There were about 400 chapelries in Lancashire. In Lancashire, most ancient parishes were divided into chapelries, though a few had no chapelries and Manchester had over 150. The average number of chapelries per ancient parish was about eight. For a much more thorough List of all chapelries attached to each one of Lancashire's ancient parishes, be certain to view the link (at the top of each parish page) called i.e. "Comprehensive List of Chapelries for _______ [parish name]". After completing research in the ancient parish registers, be certain to ask yourself if you have also searched in the church registers of each chapelry attached to that parish.

For more information about church records in Lancashire, see Lancashire Church Records

Chapelries
These tables list the chapelries in Lancashire and their ancient parish. Most post-1837 chapelries are not included.

Each chapelry (church) kept their own separate church registers of christenings, often burial and sometimes marriage registers as well.Most chapelries did not obtain "parish" status and were not granted 'licence' to marry couples until after 1836. The vast majority of Lancashire's chapels and district churches never received "parish" status until modern times, mostly by the twentieth century.