HOOLE, a parish in the hundred of LEYLAND,
county palatine of LANCASTER, comprising the townships
of Much Hoole and Little Hoole, and containing 860
inhabitants, of which number, 644 are in the township
of Much Hoole, 8 miles (S.W.) from Preston, and 216
in that of Little Hoole, 7 miles (S.W. by W.) from Preston.
The living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Chester, rated in the king's books
at £ 6. 14., and in the patronage of the Rev. Miles Barton.
The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity; the
body is built of bricks, but the west end and the tower,
which latter is much admired, are of stone. Hoole was
separated from the parish of Croston, and made a distinct
parish, in 1642. A school was erected in 1774,
and endowed with land purchased by subscription, producing
about £16 a year, for which all poor children of
the parish, who apply, are taught to read j the average
number is eighty.