BILSTON ST LEONARD'S CHURCH There was a chapel here in 1090 but, in 1458, it was replaced by St Leonard's Chantry. Following renovations a third church on the site was consecrated in 1733. Another rebuilding in 1825-26 became the fourth church on the site.

The church, built in the neo-classical style, is impressive due to its modern appearance and is whitewashed outside and inside, resulting in its' neat and clean appearance. It has an unusual chamfered square tower, giving it an octagonal appearance, and is surmounted with a cupola. On top is also a golden globe and weather vane, together with a fenced viewing platform. These create an unusual but pleasing appearance for an English Church.

It was the growth in industrial activity that attracted Burgums/Burghams to Bilston. The first blast furnaces were ercted in 1780, following the construction of the Birmingham Canal ten years earlier. Factories and coal mines grew rapidly, quickly followed by the housing to accommodate the workers. Bilston Steel Works owned five of the six blast furnaces in the area, which produced close to 25,000 tons of steel each year. The industry continued until the 1970's when the Labour government closed it down. From the 1920's and 1930's a program was begun to demolish and replace much of sub-standard housing in the area. This program continued for decades, building on inactive industrial sites and closed coalfields.

The Burgums and Burghams lived mostly in an area of Bilston called Hallfields.