Weight: 1792 lbs Bell 1 of 1
Founded by James Barwell 1875
Dove Bell ID: 54436 Tower ID: 20352 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Gomersal: St Mary
Overview
Grid reference: SE 206 259
The Church of St. Mary the Blessed Virgin is situated within a large church yard, central to the town of Gomersal, on an exposed site high above the towns of Cleckheaton and Liversedge; with its distinctive tower the building is an important landmark for many miles around. St. Mary’s was built between 1850 and 1851 to the designs of John Dobson, architect, of Leeds; the building reflects closely the development of the town and the history of its people during the Industrial Development period. The nave is of six bays, with a four-light west window and a steeply pitched stone slate roof on braced trusses; the aisles are similar with a less steeply pitched roof. To the third west bay of the south aisle is a south porch. The chancel is of two bays with a stone slate roof covering on scissor braced trusses, a five-light east window with tracery and carved reredos, with crocketed heads and pinnacles with crests. To the south is a transept with a sacristy to the east, and to the north an organ chamber with choir vestry, now the parish office, and toilet, all in the Gothic Revival style. The sacristy and choir vestry are later extensions. To the north west of the nave is a tower of three stages with diagonal buttresses, pinnacles and a ‘flag pole’ which is in fact a telecommunications aerial; intermediate pinnacles appear to have been removed to accommodate aerial supports. Directly below the tower parapets are corbeled brackets with figure heads, beasts and gargoyles of high quality; below, to each elevation are three light louvred openings with tracery, hood moulds and label stops; those to the east elevation are of high quality. Below are clock faces to the north, east and west elevations. Walls are of hammer dressed coursed sandstone with ashlar dressings. Roofs over the main body of the church are covered with stone slates, with stone ridges; the tower roof is covered with lead and those to the choir vestry and sacristy are covered with stainless steel. Rainwater gutters are of cast iron. Shortly after St. Mary’s was built a Sunday School was established and later St. Mary’s School was built. Between 2003 and 2004 an extensive re-ordering of the interior was carried out, which included the removal of pews, the introduction of a toilet and a kitchen, and an improved heating system. As a result of these changes, St. Mary’s is today a well-attended place of worship and, in addition, a well-used centre of support and provision of facilities for the local community.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 557 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
St. Mary’s was built between 1850 and 1851 to the designs of John Dobson, architect, of Leeds; the building reflects closely the development of the town and the history of its people during the Industrial Development period.
Exterior Description
The nave is of six bays, with a four-light west window and a steeply pitched stone slate roof on braced trusses; the aisles are similar with a less steeply pitched roof. To the third west bay of the south aisle is a south porch. The chancel is of two bays with a stone slate roof covering on scissor braced trusses, a five-light east window with tracery and carved reredos, with crocketed heads and pinnacles with crests. To the south is a transept with a sacristy to the east, and to the north an organ chamber with choir vestry, now the parish office, and toilet, all in the Gothic Revival style. The sacristy and choir vestry are later extensions.
To the north west of the nave is a tower of three stages with diagonal buttresses, pinnacles and a ‘flag pole’ which is in fact a telecommunications aerial; intermediate pinnacles appear to have been removed to accommodate aerial supports. Directly below the tower parapets are corbeled brackets with figure heads, beasts and gargoyles of high quality; below, to each elevation are three light louvred openings with tracery, hood moulds and label stops; those to the east elevation are of high quality. Below are clock faces to the north, east and west elevations.
Walls are of hammer dressed coursed sandstone with ashlar dressings. Roofs over the main body of the church are covered with stone slates, with stone ridges; the tower roof is covered with lead and those to the choir vestry and sacristy are covered with stainless steel. Rainwater gutters are of cast iron.
The tower contains a two train flatbed clock. It has the maker’s name – JAs Loveday Wakefield engraved on the setting dial. A plate stating that the clock and bell were presented by Mary Micklethwait in remembrance of her husband in 1875 is attached to the frame. A further engraved plate stating that the clock was reconstructed by W. Potts & Sons Leeds in 1922 is also attached. The clock is fitted with an anchor escapement and has electro winding to both trains.
Building Fabric and Features
Porch
1850 South Porch
Choir
Choir vestry is later addition
Tower (component)
1850 Tower of three stages with diagonal buttresses, pinnacles and a ‘flag pole’ which is in fact a telecommunications aerial; intermediate pinnacles appear to have been removed to accommodate aerial supports.
Gargoyle
Directly below the tower parapets are corbeled brackets with figure heads, beasts and gargoyles of high quality
Clock Tower
1875 The tower contains a two train flatbed clock. It has the maker’s name – JAs Loveday Wakefield engraved on the setting dial. A plate stating that the clock and bell were presented by Mary Micklethwait in remembrance of her husband in 1875 is attached to the frame. A further engraved plate stating that the clock was reconstructed by W. Potts & Sons Leeds in 1922 is also attached. The clock is fitted with a dead beat anchor escapement and has electro winding to both trains.
Building Materials
Slate
Sandstone
Ashlar
Interior
Interior Description
Between 2003 and 2004 an extensive re-ordering of the interior was carried out, which included the removal of pews, the introduction of a toilet and a kitchen, and an improved heating system. As a result of these changes, St. Mary’s is today a well-attended place of worship and, in addition, a well-used centre of support and provision of facilities for the local community.
Fixtures and fittings
Clock
19th Century made by Lovell from Wakefield in 1875
Historical Notes
1875 - 1875
Period Qualifier: 2
Bells
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
A plaque mounted on the wall of the west bay of the south aisle is dedicated to Sir Charles Firth, who established a fire brigade for the nearby mill which he owned, which later became the West Yorkshire Fire Brigade. The plaque is of marble and was unveiled on 30 July 1911; the inscription reads:- ‘Bear ye one and others burdens, to the glory of God and in loving memory of Colonel Sir Charles Henry Firth, born 4 May 1836, died 17 January 1910. This tablet is erected by the members of the Yorkshire Fire Brigade Friendly Society as a token of love and gratitude for his work in establishing their society and for his unwearied and effective labour for the good of Firemen.’ A fireman’s helmet and axes are shown above the inscription.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 206 259
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the 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 has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
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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