A list of the Catholic Chapels and Chaplains, together with the number of their respective congregations, in the county of Lancaster, was collected in 1819, and subjoined are enumerated those situated in the Hundred of Amounderness:— Place. Chapels. Priest. No. of Congregation. Preston 2 Revd. ⸺ Dunn ⎫ ” ” ⸺ Morris⎬ 6,000 ” ” ⸺ Gore ⎪ ” ” ⸺ Bird ⎭ Alston Lane 1 ” ⸺ Cowburne 400 Fernyhalgh 1 ” ⸺ Blakoe 500 The Hill 1 ” ⸺ Martin 450 Claughton 1 ” ⸺ Gradwell 800 Scorton 1 ” ⸺ Lawrenson 350 Garstang 1 ” ⸺ Storey 600 New House 1 ” ⸺ Marsh 600 Cottam 1 ” ⸺ Caton 300 Lea 1 ” ⸺ Anderton 400 Willows 1 ” ⸺ Sherburne 600 Westby 1 ” ⸺ Butler 300 Lytham 1 ” ⸺ Dawson 500 Poulton 1 ” ⸺ Platt 400 Great Eccleston 1 ” ⸺ Parkinson 450 ---- ------ Total 16 [45]12,650 In 1836 the first house of Fleetwood was erected, and in a few years the desolate warren at the mouth of the Wyre was converted into a rising and prosperous town. The rapidity of its early growth may be inferred from the following paragraph, extracted from a volume on Lancashire, published during the infancy of this new offspring of the Fylde:—“As a bathing place, it possesses very superior attractions: hot water baths, inns, and habitations of all kinds have sprung as if by magic on one of the most agreeable sites it is possible to imagine, very superior to any other in Lancashire, admitting, as from a central point, excursions by land and water in all directions, amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the empire. A couple of hours steaming takes the tourist across Morecambe Bay to the Furness capital, and into the heart of a district of surpassing interest. Charming indeed is Fleetwood in the height of the summer, with its cool sands, northern aspect, and delightful prospects. First there is a noble bay in front, an ocean of itself when the tide is in; and when it is out offering firm sands of vast extent, for riding or walking.” Sir Peter Hesketh Fleetwood, bart., of Rossall Hall, lord of the manor, and founder of the town to which he gave his name, was returned on four occasions as one of the parliamentary representatives of Preston:— MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT FOR PRESTON.