Despite Henry VIII’s systematic destruction of the monasteries the nave survived in tact allowing the local people to continue to worship there:
What a debt we owe, however, to Prior Moone, who, with great foresight, made pastoral provision for the 200 or so people who worshipped in the nave by securing that nave intact for them [...]
The Bolton Abbey guidebook states that a small group of Augustinian canons and their Prior came across the hill from Embsay to make a new start in Bolton. They were ordained priests, living together like monks but they were also involved with the local people.
Their priory was built in a prime position on the banks [...]
Faith is to believe that which you do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see that which you believe.
St Augustine of Hippo (1817-1862)