CHURCH Street has played a major role in the history of Blackburn.

The ancient market cross once stood at its junction with Darwen Street and some of the most prominent men of their time, lived here, including the Sudell family and Henry Feilden.

The rise of the wealth of Blackburn was reflected in the rise of Church Street and rather than a residential street, it grew into a major shopping street, boasting several large hotels.

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At one end was the Bay Horse Hotel, one of the town’s oldest coaching inns and at the other, The Old Bull Hotel, which backed on to the parish churchyard.

It was one of the town’s most famous hostelries and in the early 19th century mail coaches departed from it daily for destinations all over the country.

On the opposite side of Darwen Street, looking down Church Street, stood the Old Bank, which was built during the cotton riots of 1878.

There have been a variety of stores along Church Street over the years, with the art deco Woolworth’s store one of the most distinctive.