Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion : Foldout

Wainsgate Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge

Wainsgate Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge is situated at Boston Hill, Wadsworth Moor, above Old Town.

Around 1750, a group of Particular Baptists was formed here. The founders included Richard Smith, the first Minister.

This is the earliest Baptist church in the area.

They built their first meeting house at Wainsgate farm, high on the moor. They found that the walls were not high enough, so they dug out the inside of the building and lowered the floor by 18 inches.

In 1777, Rev John Fawcett and a number of other members left to establish Ebenezer Baptist Church.

They stayed here until a new building was erected in 1815.

It accommodated The school accommodated 200 scholars.

The present church was built in 1857/9, and has an imposing classical frontage. It opened 24th May 1860. The building cost £1,458.

In the 19th century, a new organ, pulpit, pews, and choir stalls were added after £1000 had been raised by public subscription. A gallery had to be added as a result of the popularity of Dr John Fawcett's sermons.

The octagonal marble pulpit [1891] was designed by Anthony Welsh and was given by Miss Cousin and Mrs Mitchell for the Mitchell family of Boston Hill who also gave the stained glass by Powell Brothers of Leeds.

The communion table was given by the Redman family of Hebden Bridge.

There are wall monuments to John Fawcett and to Richard Smith. Fawcett was buried here. His tomb is listed.

In 1905, the old graveyard was supplemented by a new cemetery.

On 27th April 1907, a stained glass window was unveiled in memory of Miss Sarah Mitchell of Boston Hill.

Because of a declining congregation, the church closed in 19??. It has since been used as a children's nursery.

Since 2004, the church and burial ground have been in the care of the Historic Chapels Trust.

[2006] Plans are being considered for the future of the building.

The church is on the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register.

Pastors at the Church have included

Richard Smith [1750]
Rev John Fawcett [1764]
John Law [1779]
George Mellor [1784]
William Wrathall [1788]
Rev John Parker [1790]
John Brearley [1798]
Isaac Normington [1800]
Rev Mark Holroyd [1810]
Joseph Garside [1837]
Jonas Smith [1845]
Thomas Hanson [1849]
Thomas Vasey [1851]
Rev John Bamber [1855]
Rev George W. Wilkinson [1878]
Rev David Lindsay [1896]
Rev James Jack [1901]
Rev Ernest Higson [1910]
Joseph Fielding [1921]
Edwin Exall [1934]
Henry Meadows [1944]
A. Cyril Durrant [1948]

See Rev William Crabtree, Dove Chapel, John Sutcliff, Wainsgate Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge: Memorial and Wainsgate Baptist Church, Hebden Bridge: Graveyard

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