The Church
| A brief history | | | Persons of note | | | The building and its features |
A brief history
Farsley dates back over a thousand years, to before the Norman Conquest and is mentioned in the Domesday Book as 'Fersellia', as part of the parish of Calverley. Until 1843 it had no church of its own, with the religious void being filled by either Methodists or the Baptists. Reverend Samuel Redhead, the Vicar of Calverley, sought to establish a Church of England presence in Farsley and wrote many letters asking for funding, including to the Queen Dowager who gave £20. The site was given by the Lord of the Manor, Thomas Thornhill and the architect was Captain William Wallen of Huddersfield. The first service was held on the 29th October 1843 and the building was crowded. The congregation gradually grew into a dedicated group including local millowners, who proved to be generous benefactors.
Return to topPersons of note
Parsons ManingHe was born in Dublin in 1816 and was ordained in 1840, becoming a missionary until 1845.
Reverend Samuel MarsdenSamuel Marsden was born in Farsley on 5th July 1764. He trained as an Anglican priest at Magdalene College, Cambridge. In the same year he was ordained - 1793 - he married Elizabeth Fristan, emigrating to Australia the following March. He became the first incumbent of St John's in Parramatta, Sydney, which was the first substantial Church building in Australia and was chaplain to the penal colony. He died in Windsor, New South Wales, on the 12th May 1838.
Return to topThe building and its features
Click on an area of the church to be taken to information about it.
The lectern
|
The substantial and ornate brass lectern commemorates Cissie Gaunt, wife of Arthur Gaunt. It was presented to the church in 1889. The Bible is carried on the eagle's back as a reminder that its message is to take free flight out into the world. Return to map |
The altar
|
The altar painting (given by the Slater family in 1895) was restored in 2000, so that its clear colours draw one's eye from most parts of the church. It is a good quality quarter-size copy by Van Lil of Ruebens' Descent from the cross; the original is in the Cathedral of Antwerp. Return to map |
The fonts
|
These are located near the choir vestry door. The stationary font is the original one used for baptisms and is the handicraft and skilled labour of a twelve year old apprentice named Alfred Bedford. It was used until 1997 when another font started to be used. This movable font dates from 1667 and can be seen around the church on an oak pedestal, which was designed to resemble part of a loom. It was used by the Rev. Elkanah Wales for home baptisms in the late 1600s. Return to map |
The transept chapel
|
The transept was added in 1875 to house a new organ from Abbot of Leeds. This space has been a choir vestry, children's corner and storage area until in 1993, it was turned into a side-chapel with comfortable seating and modern lighting. On an unusual semi-circular table sits a cross, an 1843 original which was restored and placed here in 2000. Return to map |
The organ
|
The original organ dated from 1844. Major alterations to the church in 1875-76 included a new transept in which to house a new organ from Abbott of Leeds. The present organ chamber was built in 1893. Return to map |
The pulpit
|
The pulpit is a memorial to Parsons Maning and was presented in 1900 by his daughter. The carved figures present on it are Moses, Isaiah, the Angel of Gethsemane and St Peter. Return to map |
Return to top
A lot of the information on this page was taken from either information found in the church or from 'A Guide to St John the Evangelist Farsley'. If you object to us using the information, please contact the website administrator by clicking here to email. A full guide can be bought from members of the church.