About 1625 the inhabitants of Marton petitioned, that in conjunction with “Layton, Layton Rakes, and Blackpool,”[119] the township might be constituted a separate parish, stating in support of their prayer that the parish church of Poulton was five miles distant, and during the winter they were debarred by inundations from attending that place of worship. This reasonable request does not appear to have evoked a favourable response from the parliamentary commissioners, and it was not until more than a century and a half later that the district had its claims to the privilege desired practically acknowledged. The church of St. Paul, in Great Marton was erected by subscription in 1800, and opened by license the same year, but was not consecrated until 1804. It was a plain, unpretending structure with front and side galleries, but having neither chancel nor tower, and capable of holding upwards of 400 worshippers. In 1857 the increase of the population rendered it necessary to lengthen the church at the east end, and at the same time a neat and simple tower was added. Within the tower is the vestry, above which a number of seats were raised for the Sunday school children, many of whom had previously, for want of space, occupied forms in the aisles. A porch was built over the entrance of the church about 1848, and in 1871 a chancel was erected. Three bells were purchased by the parishioners, and placed in the tower in 1868, whilst the present reading desk and pulpit, were the gift of Miss Heywood, the daughter of Sir Benjamin Heywood, bart., who formerly had a handsome marine residence at Blackpool. Previous to 1845 the musical portion of the service was accompanied by two bassoons and another wind instrument, but about that date they were abolished, and a barrel organ substituted, which continued in force until a few years ago, when it was succeeded by the more modern key organ at present in use. The church of Marton has now an ecclesiastical district of its own, but was originally a chapelry under Poulton. A little anterior to the erection of the church divine service was conducted in the school-house of Baines’s Charity, Mr. Sawyer being the first appointed minister. CURATES AND VICARS OF MARTON. ------------+---------------------+-------------------------- Date of | NAME. | Cause of Vacancy. Institution.| | ------------+---------------------+-------------------------- About 1762 | ⸺ Sawyer | ” 1772 | George Hall | In 1814 | Thomas Bryer | Death of G. Hall ” 1843 | James Cookson, M.A. | Resignation of T. Bryer ------------+---------------------+--------------------------