The town of Bolton was granted a charter by William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby; in 1253 but it was not recognized as a borough in the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835. In 1838 Bolton Borough was established, comprising in area Great Bolton township, part of Little Bolton township and part (Haulgh area) of Tonge with Haulgh township. These townships were all in Bolton (or Bolton le Moors) ecclesiastical parish. (From 1792 to 1338 Great Bolton and Little Bolton townships had Improvement Trustees (or police commissioners) for the improvement of the respective townships). In 1872 part of Rumworth township was added to the Borough and in 1877 part of Halliwell township. In 1889 it became a County Borough. It was in Bolton poor law Union. In 1898 Breightmet, Darcy Lever Deane (known before 1894 as Rumworth), Great Lever, Heaton, Lostock, Middle Hulton, Smithills and Tonge civil parishes, Astley Bridge Urban District and part of Over Hulton civil parish became part of the Borough. In 1974 the Borough became part of Bolton Metropolitan Borough.

St.Peter Parish Church 1587, St.George 1796, All Saints 1818, Holy Trinity 1826.