It was opened on August 21, 1865 as the Independent Church of Christ.
The church was the outcome of concerns by the minister and members of Knowle Green Congegational Church.
The steam-operated mills in Longridge, built in 1850, 1851 and 1862 had caused a big move of people from the Knowle Green area to work in the mills.
It was for that reason that the minister at Knowle Green began holding services in a room in Longridge.
From this development came the building of the church in Berry Lane.
The first minister was the Rev William Booth, who designed that building and the manse.
Built at the same time, the manse (until recently Victoria's India) was on a corner of Church Street.
In 1866 the Longridge Training School was opened in rooms to the rear of the church.
In 1869 the school was placed under government inspection and became known as The British School until 1905, when it was transferred to Lancashire County Council.
An extension had been built in 1901 (this part of the school was demolished in 1991).
* Mike Keeney will continue his story of the church's history next week.
* The next meeting of Longridge Local History Society is tomorrow, January 22, at 7.30pm at the Centenary Room, St Paul's Church, Longridge. The speaker is Julia Beeden of Claughton on Brock on the topic of family tree tracing. For further details contact Val Martin-Warren on 01772 786315.