Farnley: St Michael
Overview
Grid reference: SE 248 321
The present church was built in 1885 with funds by the Armitages, designed by Chorley and Connon, one of the most prominent Leeds architectural practices. St Michael's is an impressive church, designed in the Decorated style. The steeply pitched nave roof gives some vertical emphasis, lower 2-bay chancel. Gabled south transept with belcote. Paired cusped lights to nave clearstorey and aisles in rectangular frames with buttresses between.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
4-bay aisled nave, chancel with north vestry and south organ chamber, south porch, south transept.
Dimensions:
Nave 20m (70ft) x 6m (18’9ft), chancel 7m (22ft) long.
Description of Archaeology and History
Farnley is recorded as a manor in Domesday. There was a Medieval chapel-of-ease here, first recorded in 1419, though possibly going back earlier, and thought to have been dedicated to St Helen, a well dedicated to her is also said to have existed nearby. Fragments of Medieval tracery are preserved inside the church. The churchyard is therefore of considerable archaeological potential.
The first Farnley Hall was built by the Danby dynasty in the late 16th century, rebuilt in the 18th and early 19th century and then taken over by the Armitage family, local industrialists. The chapel was replaced in 1761 with a new church by the renowned and prolific local architect John Carr, responsible for the Crescent at Buxton amongst many other buildings in Yorkshire, Britain and abroad, as well as another Farley Hall, this one in North Yorkshire. Churches by him survive at Rokeby and Horbury, in which he was buried. The cupola from his church now stands in the churchyard.
The present church was built in 1885 with funds by the Armitages, designed by Chorley and Connon, one of the most prominent Leeds architectural practices. The foundation stone at the east end was laid by AW Pawson of Farnley and the Revd FE Brodrick, Rector. The porch was added in the early 20th century. There have been only minor changes since.
Exterior Description
An impressive church, designed in the Decorated style. The steeply pitched nave roof gives some vertical emphasis, lower 2-bay chancel. Gabled south transept with belcote. Paired cusped lights to nave clearstorey and aisles in rectangular frames with buttresses between. Two paired lights to the west window, 5-light decorated east window, gable copings and cross finials. The main entrance is through a timber-framed south porch with board double doors, ornate hinges, side walls infilled with terracotta plaques with raised patterns of crosses and lilies, ribbed roof, and wooden side benches. The entrance now used is the pointed doorway in the east wall of the vestry, which also has a moulded stack.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1880s
East window has the Crucifixion with Christ and his Disciples underneath, by Powell Bros of Leeds
Building Materials
Slate
Roof
Sandstone
Pink sandstone columns inside
Stone
Walls are built of locally quarried coursed gritstone
Interior
Interior Description
The interior is richly decorated, and of high quality. The 4-bay aisle arcades have slender octagonal nave piers, moulded caps, double-chamfered arches with ornate cruciform metal plaques in the spandrels, probably lamp supports; high and wide pointed and moulded chancel arch. Moulded string at window sill level, and below it a band of moulded terracotta with floral scroll design in relief. Mosaic floor in brown, cream and red, barrel-vaulted roof with iron ties. Good quality benches with carved ends with poppyheads, and very ornate choir stalls.
The ornate chancel has corbel angels carrying musical instruments and scrolls, round windows between, timber barrel-vaulted roof, polychrome tile floor, choir stalls with poppy-head end finials; red and white marble floor to sanctuary, reredos of mosaic tiles and carved stone sedilia and piscine. To the north-east the vestry with built-in cupboards and partition, organ on south-east.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
1888
Chest with Agnus Dei and tracery carving to the front
Reredos
1906
Triptych reredos of mosaic tiles given in 1906, the Sermon on the Mount flanked by St Michael and the Visitation, attached pink marble columns to flanking arched niches
Pulpit
1888
Octagonal wooden pulpit with cusped open panels, stem with roll-moulded brackets.
Lectern
1888
Brass eagle
Font (object)
1888
Stone font has clustered column supporting round bowl with projecting saints’ heads, carved wooden cruciform cover.
Organ (object)
1886
2-manual pipe organ by J Calvert of Armley, Leeds 1886. Thought to incorporate material of older origin.
Rail
1888
Iron and brass altar rail, elaborate cross supports with glass bosses.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 248 321
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.
It is unknown whether 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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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
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