Page "Accrington" Paragraph 9

It is thought the monks of Kirkstall may have built a small chapel there during their tenure for the convenience of those in charge residing there and their tenants, but the records are uncertain.

What is known is that there was a chapel in Accrington prior to 1553 where the vicar of Whalley was responsible for the maintenance of divine worship.

However it did not have its own minister and it was served, when at all, by the curate of one of the adjacent chapels.

In 1717 Accrington was served by the curate of Church, who preached there only once a month.

St. James's Church was built in 1763, replacing the old chapel however it did not achieve parochial status until as late as 1870.