Unitarian Church, Todmorden, West Yorkshire
Listed Grade I

In the early 19th century a number of societies were set up in the Rochdale neighbourhood by Joseph Cooke, a former Methodist minister, whose adherents came to be called Cookites or Methodist Unitarians. Their first Meeting House in Todmorden was built in 1823-4. It later became a Sunday School but is now converted to flats.

Todmorton Unitarian Church was built in 1865-69, near the Meeting House, in memory of John Fielden (1784-1849), a wealthy philanthropist, cotton manufacturer and Member of Parliament. He was one of the earliest supporters of the Cookite Society and had rescued the meeting from financial difficulties. The cost of the new church was borne by his three sons. The architect was the eminent John Gibson (1817-92) who also designed Dobroyd Castle and the famous classical Town Hall.

The Victorian Gothic Church is set amid moorland scenery on a steeply sloping site, surrounded by ornamental gardens, and with a commanding tower and spire. There is a large, wooded graveyard, which is extensively landscaped. Inside, the nave is long and aisled with arcades standing on circular piers of polished stone. The chancel is richly elaborated and furnished with choirstalls, a communion table, and brass light fittings. The font and pulpit are of outstanding quality. The stained glass was designed by J.B. Capronnier, the Brussels glazier. In the tower is a peal of eight bells, a carillon and clock.

Christopher Stell, a national authority on Nonconformist architecture and HCT Trustee, comments that "as an example of High Victorian church architecture, this bears comparison with some of the best buildings of the Established Church; as representing the Nonconformist architecture of its period, it is unrivalled".

HCT has initiated a £1 million repair programme at Todmorden funded by English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sponsors. The works so far have embraced the repair of the church roofs and stained glass, the rehabilitation of the listed lodge to form a residence for a caretaker, the refurbishment of the interior of the tower and smaller burial ground. The clock and carillon have been restored. The retrieval of the historic landscape is under way. A new heating system has been installed, and the electrics have now been renewed.

HCT has acquired the design drawings (cartoons) for the outstanding 19th-century stained glass in the chancel. Gibson commissioned the designs from the 'atelier' of the celebrated Brussels glazier, Jean- Baptist Capronnier (1814-1891) who created many windows for English and continental churches, cathedrals and public buildings.

A regular working party of volunteers is undertaking landscaping works in the gardens and grounds from 1pm on the third Sunday of each month. Further volunteers are most welcome.

HCT has now commissioned the work to construct a new toilet/kitchen facility within the church, work started in April 2008 and will be completed in June 2008. Grant aid has been received from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Green Business Network and other local sources. Further fundraising is being undertaken as the tendered costs were higher than envisaged.

A programme of open days and other activities is organised by HCT's local committee in Todmorden. A guide, written by John Crabbe, is available from HCT office and in Todmorden.

Access can be arranged by ringing 01706 815407.

For further information visit the Todmorden Unitarian Church website

St George's German Lutheran Church,
55 Alie Street, London E1 8EB
Tel: 020 7481 0533 Fax: 020 7488 3756
email: chapels@hct.org.uk

Company Number: 2778395.
Registered Charity Number: 1017321