Treasures Revealed

ST MARY THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Main Street, Burley-in-Wharefdale, LS29 7PB

Contact:  Revd Michael Burley  01943 863216
Michael.burley@btinternet.com

Revd. Dr. Charles Ingham Black became Burley’s priest in 1855, while the village was still part of Otley Parish. In 1856, the Parish of Burley and Menston was created, the church built and Black became its first Vicar. A  brass plaque records his 41 years of service to St. Mary’s and the window dedicated to him reminds us that he wrote a Christmas Carol which was famous in Victorian times.

Two of his congregation were William and Jane Forster, who were part owners with William Fison, of Greenholme Mills. William Forster was a Quaker until he married Jane Arnold, sister of Matthew Arnold the poet and a staunch Anglican. William was M.P. for Bradford, 1861 – 1886, the architect of the Education Act of 1870 and one of Gladstone’s cabinet ministers. There are plaques to commemorate them, particularly one in the Porch.

Come and count the  Mice.  All the wooden furniture in the Chancel and Sanctuary was made in 1952, by Mousey Thompson, the famous wood-carver from Kilburn in North Yorkshire. His trade mark was a mouse, and he carved one on every item he ever made. One of our 'Mice' is missing! There used to be mice carved on the communion rails, until one day many years ago, a lady began coming to the church who was scared of mice, and would not come to communion because of the mice carved on the rail. They were removed, and the story goes, that Mousey Thompson was not amused! If you look on the organ stool you may find a cat- a rival woodcarver put one on to catch the mice in church.

EXCITING,

SURPRISING,

INSPIRING...