Saint Peter's Church, Walsden



St Peter's Church, Walsden – aka Walsden Parish Church – is a Million Pound Church designed by Charles Child in Gothic Revival style.

It was built on land donated by John Crossley of Scaitcliffe Hall.

The first sod was cut on 20th January 1846.

On 8th July 1846, the foundation-stone was laid by John Crossley.

The church was consecrated on 7th August 1848.

The spire has lucarnes.

The Wellington Memorial organ – an idea from Rev Dowty – was installed at a cost of £300. Mrs Sunderland sang at a concert to celebrate the inauguration on 8th July 1853. Details can be found in the National Pipe Organ Register.

The spire was added by Charles Heyworth in 1864.

The church was finally completed in 1875.

The building was originally roofed with red London tiles. These proved unsuitable for the Walsden climate in keeping the church warm, and were replaced with blue slate tiles.

A peal of bells was installed in 1872, but, on 2nd November 1872, the chimes weight on the clock broke and fell through 3 floors, breaking the tiles in the porch, and embedded itself deep in the ground.

The nave and much of the building was destroyed by fire on 28th May 1948. The roof and stained glass windows were lost. The spire was saved. The church was not insured.

The church was rebuilt and re-consecrated in 1956. The spire is listed.

 
Incumbents and Curates at the Church have included


 

The records for the Church are held at the West Yorkshire Archive Service office in Wakefield (Collection WDP104): Baptisms [1845-1933], Banns [1947-1959], Marriages [1848-1992] and Burials [1848-1992].


See Cross Keys, Walsden, St Peter's Church, Walsden: War Memorial, St Peter's Church, Walsden: Graveyard and Walsden Parsonage



© Malcolm Bull 2023
Revised 15:49 / 28th November 2023 / 6448

Page Ref: WW_5

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