Sowerby Bridge: Christ Church
Diocese of Leeds
Church, 646551
http://www.christchurchsb.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SE 62 237
The current Christ Church opened in 1821 and occupies a prominent position in Sowerby Bridge, at the main crossroads of the town on the junction of Wharf Street and Tuel Lane. This site was at the nexus of Victorian business and travel.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Church open to visitors Tuesday and Saturday from 10am till 11:30am, at other times by appointment Guidebook available Visitor toilets, baby changing facilities and parking available
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 651 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
The original Sowerby Bridge Chapel, more popularly known as Brigg Chapel, built in 1526, had served the population of Sowerby Bridge for almost three centuries until at the end of the 18C the chapel could no longer accommodate the increase in numbers of the congregation. Various extension and improvement schemes were considered but the site was not satisfactory, being close to the River Calder and subject to flooding; therefore in 1803 it was resolved to build a larger church on a more suitable site. Acquisition of the site proved to be complex and protracted, but by April 1819 construction of the new church had commenced, to the designs of the architect John Oates of Halifax. The current Christ Church opened in 1821.
Exterior Description
Externally the walls are of ashlar sandstone of a very good quality; for a building of this age there is only minimal erosion of the stone face. The roofs over the nave, chancel and organ chamber are covered with grey Welsh slates laid in diminishing courses with stone ridges. The roofs to the porches are covered with lead as was originally the roof to the tower. In 2014 this was replaced with stainless steel and the roof to the toilets is covered with stainless steel. Rainwater pipes are of cast iron. All in a Perpendicular style.
The west tower dates from 1821 and is of three stages, with offset diagonal buttresses which rise to embattled parapets and pinnacles. To the west elevation of the lower stage is a flat headed window of three lights and above, within the first stage, a two light window with tracery and a pointed arch under a hood mould. To the second stage are single light windows with pointed arches and hood moulds, to all elevations other than the east. To the third stage are clock faces below three light louvered openings with tracery and pointed arches under hood moulds
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
West end
Porch
South west end
Chancel
Choir
19th Century
Historical Notes
1873 - 1874
Period Qualifier: 2
Built in 1873/4 in place of the apse that existed previously. Twenty-one graves had to be re-sited in the process.
1894 - 1894
Period Qualifier: 1
It was in this area that the disastrous fire of 1894 began
Nave
Roof
19th Century
Historical Notes
1894 - 1894
Period Qualifier: 1
Fire. Roof was destroyed but did not fall in. The roof itself is a complete rebuilding.
1821 - 1821
Period Qualifier: 2
1830 - 1831
Period Qualifier: 1
Partly reconstructed
1983 - 1983
Period Qualifier: 2
The attack of dry rot in 1983 resulted in treatment being carried out to some of the roof trusses and new brick wall plates being inserted
Gallery (ecclesiastical)
Apse
19th Century Part of original build. Located at the east end where the chancel now stands.
Vestry
19th Century Part of the original build. One vestry built in the angle of the tower wall.
Interior
Interior Description
The nave dates from 1821 and is of six tall bays with plinth, offset buttresses which rise to pinnacles, with embattled parapets between. Windows to each bay are tall, of three lights, transomed, with tracery, pointed arches under hood moulds with grotesque head-stops. To the west bay on the south elevation is the main entrance, with pointed arch roll moulded doorway, with shields in spandrels and flanked by pinnacled columns, and a three light window above.
The chancel dates from 1873-4 and is of two bays, narrower than those to the nave, with chamfered plinths and offset buttresses which rise to pinnacles with embattled parapets between. Windows to the north and south are similar to those of the nave but of two lights. To the east elevation are three tall lancets with plain pointed arches. To the south, adjacent to the east elevation of the nave, are entrance steps to the boiler room. The organ chamber was built in 1873-4 together with the chancel, having offset buttresses, doorway with pointed arch to the east elevation and a three light window to the north.
To the north and south of the tower are two storey porches dating between 1894 and 1895, each with embattled parapets, an entrance doorway with pointed arch, single light windows with flat heads and tracery, and to the south porch at ground floor level a window of two lights with flat head and tracery. Within each porch is a stair to the gallery. To the north of the north west porch is a single storey former vestry dating from 1889, now converted to provide toilet accommodation, having embattled parapets, and to the east elevation a window of three lights with flat head and hood mould; a former door opening to the west elevation has been built up.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar Rail
19th Century The altar rail was presented in memory of Elizabeth Pollit, whose husband Edward Ernest Pollit was a churchwarden here for many years. The two staffs displayed in the sanctuary are those of the Constables of the Townships of Warley and Norland. They each bear the Royal Coat of Arms and the date 1849.
Historical Notes
1873 - 1874
Period Qualifier: 2
Flag
Pew (component)
19th Century Oak pews
Historical Notes
1873 - 1874
Period Qualifier: 2
Reredos
20th Century The carved stone reredos was installed in 1903 in remembrance of Joseph Pollit who died in 1900. His partnership with Eustace Wigzell, in whose memory a wall brass is affixed to the south wall, spread their name and that of Sowerby Bridge throughout the world. The steam engines manufactured at their works were among the finest ever made.
Historical Notes
1903 - 1903
Period Qualifier: 2
Pew (component)
The original pews of varying shapes and sizes were replaced in 1867 when the entire body of the church was re-seated with pitch pine pews. The majority of these still exist today, though over the years a number have been removed for one reason or another.
Historical Notes
1867 - 1867
Period Qualifier: 1
Removed
Plaque (component)
20th Century War memorial. There is a letter dated Oct 1920 that reads Arrangements have been made by the church council for a tablet to be placed in the church recording the names of the men connected with the church who have died in the service of their country, it is estimated the cost will be about £150
Historical Notes
1920 - 1920
Period Qualifier: 2
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 62 237
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard is closed for burial by order in council.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
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