Todmorden Unitarian Church

Built in 1865 by the three Fielden brothers in honour of their late father, MP ‘Honest’ John Fielden. Fielden Snr was the mill owner responsible for the 1847 Ten Hours Act, limiting the hours worked by women and children in textile mills.

After his death in 1849 the chapel that he had supported was unable to cater for the growth in the local Unitarian community, and so in 1864 his sons decided to replace the existing chapel in his memory. To build the chapel the brothers employed John Gibson.

The tower, with an octagonal spire reaching a height of 59m (192ft) features projecting figures of a man, lion, eagle and ox beneath the pinnacle, symbolising the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, John and Luke. It contains a clock, bells and a carillon drum, which plays four Victorian tunes.

Built in stone, oak and marble, the interior is richly decorated. The pews all possess subtly different carvings on their 120 end panels. At various points around the building are carvings of alternating male and female heads. At the front of the church are the church’s most elaborate ceilings, with intricately carved foliage and decorated bosses.

The christening bowl is carved from white marble, while the pulpit has an eagle lectern. Beyond the pulpit, in the chancel itself, is a window by the Belgian artist JB Capronnier. Opposite, the rose window is said to contain over thirty thousand pieces of glass.

By the late 20th century, despite the efforts of many, a decline in its use resulted in the church’s closing in 1987. Decay and vandalism meant that the building and its contents fell into disrepair. However, the Historic Chapels Trust acquired the building and in 1994 started a restoration and repair project, renovating both interior and exterior and returning it to its former glory.