EASTER week and the visit of the Queen put the spotlight on Blackburn Cathedral. Today we focus on the life of the church and its congregation in East Lancashire down through the years.

Although a church has stood on the site of the cathedral for some centuries, there is little information about the early edifice.

The present St Mary the Virgin, which forms the cathedral’s nave, was built in 1826 and 100 years later was raised to cathedral status with the formation of the Diocese of Blackburn.

Early in the 1930s it was decided that the cathedral needed to be enlarged to befit its status and fundraising got under way.

Work began in 1938, but was interrupted by the onset of war and continued again through the 1950s and 1960s.

The north transept contains eight misericords dating from the 15th century. It is not known when, or how, they came to the cathedral, but are believed to have originated at Whalley Abbey.

Picture one: probably taken in the early 1960s, shows the cathedral under construction, before the builders had even begun to raise up the lantern tower, which was designed by architect Laurence King.

Comprising 56 panes of coloured glass, it was completed in 1967.

The new stone is in stark contrast to that of the historic St Mary’s church and tower and all the surrounding premises, which have been blackened by years of factory chimney smoke, soot and grime.

In 1965, Princess Margaret carried out the rehallowing of the cathedral and Picture two shows a procession of clergy making its way to the ceremony.

Forming up in Northgate, the clergy are seen here walking along Church Street, which is thronged with watching crowds.

Do you remember the old shops you can see – there’s Sagar jewellers, which was established way back in 1810 and Adamson’s next door.

Was that a tobacconist and/or a newsagent’s?

Burton tailoring once stood at the corner with King William Street.

Picture three: This dramatic picture shows a lone demolition man, with his pick over his shoulder, on his way to pull down the last remaining wall of St Paul’s church in Blackburn in 1956.

Picture four: dates way back before the First World War, to 1908, and shows the congregation of St Matthews Church, in Burnley, followed by their banner.

Here, fashionable young girls and young ladies, with their large picture hats so reminiscent of the age, take part in their walking day, before making their way to a field day.

Picture five: is even older, dating back to 1901, which shows the Sunday School class at Piccadilly School, in Burnley.

The teacher, Mrs Myers had 10 young ladies in her class, seen here in their Sunday best, and one boy.

We think the girl behind him with her hands on his shoulders must be his sister, as they have similar looks.

Picture six: Brownhill Congregational Sunday School at its harvest festival in 1953.

The minister, back left, was Rev Milawrd, while the Sunday school superintendent, back right, is Mr H Bamford.

In the centre are the new and retiring harvest queens, Diane Waywell and Jennifer Spencer, with their attendants Adele Rakestraw and Margaret Major.

We have the banner bearers’ names, but not the order – maybe you can recognise some faces.

The youngsters were Howard Talbot, Edward Peacock, Sylvia Waywell, Margaret Appleby, Christine Eccles, Jean Tattersall, Dorothy Southworth, Denise Walton, Janet Leaver and Susan Whalley.

Picture seven: shows Canon Francis Deeney, blessing the site of the new St Mary Magdalene’s RC Church in Burnley in 1979.

Do you see anyone you recognise?