Description
PH/25. The sketch and description are from The Calderdale Sketch Book by J. L. Berbiers, published in 1973 by The Halifax Courier Ltd.
Soon after Northowram had become a legally constituted ecclesiastical parish in 1909, steps were taken towards the building of a parish church to replace the old Church Day School building which had served as Mission Church since around 1890. Building of the present church was started in 1911, a piece of quarried land in Back Clough being given by Mr Michael Stocks of Upper Shibden Hall, the church given by the Rev George Watkinson and his brother, Mr S L Watkinson, gave the tower, clock and bells. The furniture and fittings were given by the parishioners.
The foundation stone was laid by Mr Stocks on July 1st 1911 and on May 31st 1913 the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Wakefield, Dr Eden. Owing to the rough nature of the site, the church had to be built on 42 piers of reinforced concrete, each 18in square, built up from the solid rock. On the piers were laid cross girders also of reinforced concrete and the strength of this foundation is so great that it is estimated to carry four times the weight that is placed on any part of it.