THE HISTORY OF COPPULL PARISH CHURCH

The first record of a church at Coppull was in 1094. It is unlikely that this church was on the same site as today; it was perhaps more to the west over today's railway line.

In the early part of the reign of Henry VIII a man named Rowland Kirby sought sanctuary at Coppull chapel when the Constables were trying to arrest him. Sanctuary must have been granted, for the evidence states that " the Constables were resisted".

Later this chapel ceased to be used and fell into decay.

In 1650 a new chapel was built on Chapel Hillock.

 In the early eighteenth century this chapel ceased to be used due to disputes between the Bishop of Chester and the church officers on the suitability of Mr. Ingham, who officiated at the chapel. The chapel was closed and was later turned into a common stable.

In 1733 Mr. Hargreaves became undisputed Curate at Coppull. During his incumbency the Bishop of Chester granted a faculty dated 1758 for rebuilding and enlarging the chapel.

In 1758 the chapel was pulled down and completely rebuilt in hand-made brick. In 1842 the chapel became a Parish Church for Coppull, Charnock Richard and Welch Whittle, so severing links with the mother church at Standish. By 1861 Charnock Richard had its own church, and Coppull formed its own parish and due to the generosity of James Darlington a tower, chancel and organ were added.

A Gravestone in the church yard recalls a disaster which took place at Coppull Hall Colliery on the  20th May,1852, in which 36 men lost their lives.