The parish of Guiseley was organised in the 12th century and included Esholt, Yeadon, Rawdon and Horsforth.
The first church was built about 1150 and was rectangular in shape, covering the present St. Oswald's chapel. In the mid 13th century what is now St. Oswald's chapel was rebuilt and the chapel of St. Mary at the East end of the South aisle added.
During the 14th century the tower and the columns and arches on the North side of the old Church were built, and a south porch added.
In the 1850's the North wall had to be rebuilt, and in 1866 extensive restorations were carried out to the roof and the present porch and South wall was built. In 1891 the floor of the nave was lowered and a step added up to the choir.
In 1910 the present nave, chancel, north aisle and vestries were added and the new church was consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon.
Perhaps the most notable thing about St Oswalds Church is that on the 29th December 1812 the marriage of the parents of the Bronte sisters, Patrick Bronte and Maria Branwell, took place in the church. The relevant entry in the register of St Oswald's Church reads as follows:
'The Revd Patrick Bronte of the parish of Birstall and Minister of Hartshead-cum-Clifton and Maria Branwell of this parish, Spinster, by William Morgan, Offcg. Minister.'
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To find the cache go to the co-ordinates and you should be at the South porch of the church, look around and you will see this gravestone
Joseph died aged AB and Amy died aged CD
The cache can be found at N53° CB.(A-B)AC W 001° (A-B)(C-D).D(C+D)C
The cache is outside the church yard, you will need to bring your own writing implement
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For full information on how you can expand the Church Micro series by sadexploration please read the Place your own Church Micro page before you contact him at churchmicro@gmail.com.
See also the Church Micro Statistics and Home pages for further information about the series.
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