Not one of the most attractive of churches, it sits, hunched, along the side of a pleasant cobbled lane where access into the church is gained. Fortunately, the inside is more aesthetically pleasing. It is my local church, and where the local Ukulele group meets on a Monday evening.
The church of St. Andrew, erected prior to 1788 as an undenominational chapel, was transferred in 1840 to the vicar of Halifax, and, after various structural alterations, consecrated in that year by the late Charles Thomas Longley D.D., then 1st Bishop of Ripon. In 1887-8 it was almost entirely rebuilt and enlarged eastwards from designs by Mr. William Swinden Barber, F.R.I.B.A. of Halifax, at a cost of £3,196, and was reopened and consecrated by the Bishop of Wakefield on 31st July 1888, the only parts retained of the old structure being the tower and north and south walls. The church now consists of chancel, nave with west gallery, organ chamber, vestries and a western tower, rising from within the building and containing 6 bells. The new chancel has an elliptical ceiling, and is divided from the nave by four Doric columns of Whitley stone, supporting an entablature; between the columns are oak screens. The chancel is furnished with oak choir stalls, and the nave with open benches. The pulpit of oak was the gift of Miss H. Holroyd of Harrogate; the brass eagle lectern was given by Mr. E. Sutcliffe, and the alabaster font by the architect. A new organ was provided in 1901 at a cost of 3600, collected by subscription, and in 1903 the church was decorated throughout, from the designs of Mr. W. B. Edmondson of Oldham at a cost of £300. There are 400 sittings. An additional burial ground was presented in 1901 by John Edward Shaw J.P., of Brooklands, at a cost of £1,200. The date of the earliest register is 1782.
G = Number of drain pipes by the front door?
H = Lights directly above the door in the arch?
I = How many windows on the back wall facing the rear cemetery?
J = Number of stones in the arch?
K = Number of door panels in one of the front doors?
L = 1st number of the telephone number on the info board?
M = 5th number of telephone number?
N = 10th Number of telephone number?
P = 8th number of telephone number?
A = G+H
B = L
C = I + M
D = J - N
E = K + G
F = P
N 53 40.ABC W 001 52.DEF
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