Church is a town next to Accrington. The town had a chapel run by monks from Whalley Abbey hence the name. The Lords of Clitheroe owned the area until the 13th century when the Rishtons followed by the Walmesleys of Dunkenhalgh held sway. Once the railway and canal came to the area in the 18th century the community grew rapidly. The uncle of Sir Robert Peel owned a calico works in the town. In the churchyard of what was once St. James lies the grave of James Simpson, the 19th century president of the Vegetarian Society. The vegetarian diet didn't appear to have done him too much good though as he died at the age of 48.