Croston,as a settlement, certainly predates the 7th century when St Aidan (supposedly, but more likely, his monks) established a Christian religious centre here by having a cross erected.
Hence the village's name which is unique.
The original cross is thought to have been destroyed by the roundheads during the civil war but a new cross, fashioned from a millstone, was placed onto the original footstones in 1953
The millstone was donated by the blacksmith, Thomas Dalton who had it in the back of his smithy on Church Street.
The parish of Croston was formerly far larger than it is today. It included Chorley, Much Hoole, Rufford, Bretherton, Mawdesley, Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Bispham, Walmer Bridge and Ulnes Walton.
These became independent parishes as a result of a series of separations between 1642 and 1821.
Below is an image, thanks to British History Online, which shows the extent of the original Croston Parish.
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