ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH COLEY

OUR HISTORY

Looking back at 500 Years of worship

Coley Church, a Grade II listed building, is situated at 210 meters above sea level on a site that is a landmark, visible for many miles.  The three stage tower is a particularly spectacular skyline feature which can be seen from some distance.  The  church was built on this site as a chapel-of-ease to the mother church at  Halifax from joint contributions of Northowram, Shelf and Coley in the Lord’s  Rent in the graveship of Hipperholme.  The scheme for a chapel and priest in the township of Hipperholme was  initiated in 1499 and started in 1513.  William Thorpe of Hipperholme, around 1495, thought not only of the distance that he  had to travel to Halifax Parish Church, but that it would be a good thing for the Hipperholme township to have its own church, where parishioners could attend mass and listen to the service of God, without entailing a long journey which, under wintry conditions, left much to be desired.  The Church was known as the Chapel of Coleye and was possibly dated 1513.  It was enlarged and pewed in 1596 and again in 1631 and 1711.  In 1711 there had been extensive  renovation and reconstruction at both east and west ends of the chapel, which were commemorated by plaques on the stonework.  These plaques are still in the clock-chamber in the tower, having been put there in the renovation of 1902.  In 1816 the present building was erected to a  design by William Bradley.  In 1902 it was completely renovated and restored by Hodgson Fowler.  It is constructed of hammer-dressed stone with a clock tower at  the west end over the deep set west doorway.  This tower has an embattled parapet and belfry openings.  Inside, the church has a wide nave in the style of gothic revival.  There are three aisles  and arcades are formed by tall slender octagonal fluted columns with moulded capitals and pointed arches.  To the west there is a gallery with a large Royal  Coat of Arms set within an arch-headed recess.  There are two further Royal Coats the latest dated 1820 of George III.  The church heating system was installed in the 1902, upgraded in 2010, and the church roof was replaced in 1966.  Coley Church has several examples of the superb craftsmanship of the well known Jackson Wood Carvers and joiners of Coley.  Of particular note is the parclose paneling separating the vestry on the north side of the chancel and the carving in the sanctuary completed in 1941.