Treasures Revealed

ST. PETER’S CHURCH,  WALSDEN

Church Walk, Walsden, Todmorden, OL14 6QU
Contact:  Rev. Sandy White, Assistant Priest
Tel: 01706 812 007   Email:  sandy.white@3-c.coop

By canal in front of church and in old school yard next door

The church was built in 1845 and consecrated on 7th August 1848 in the presence of a congregation of 3000.  In the spring of 1848, the parochial schoolrooms at Henshaw Meadow were built, close to the church.

The spire was built in 1864, and the clock and peal of bells were added in 1872 at a cost of £800, and were dedicated by the Lord Bishop on 21 October.  However, within 2 weeks, the chimes weight on the clock broke and fell through 3 floors, smashing through the tiles of the church porch and sinking into the earth.

On Friday 28 May 1948 amid preparations for a great centenary celebration, the church caught fire.  Many invaluable artefacts were lost, including the stained glass windows, church manuscripts and music. The undaunted parishioners set up a re-building fund immediately, and on 10 March 1956 the re-built church was reconsecrated by the Bishop of Wakefield.