Church of St Luke Moorbottom Cleckheaton

CLECKHEATON Yorks.—On Saturday last the foundation-stone of the church of St. Luke, Cleckheaton, was laid by the Bishop of Ripon.  This church, which is being erected from the designs and under the superintendence of Mr Medland Taylor of Manchester, is in the Geometrical Decorated style of Gothic, and consists of nave, north and south aisles, and chancel. The aisles are carried round the western end of the nave, which terminates in a semi-hexagonal apse, at the extreme point of which is the baptistery— an unusual and picturesque arrangement. The main porch and entrance to the church is under the tower, which stands at the south-west corner of the church. There is another door at the north-west, and one at the south-east, making in all three doors for exit. Advantage has been taken of the natural slope of the ground to form a parish room and choir vestry, which extend under the whole of the church, and from which a spacious stone staircase leads up into the church. The chancel is well raised, seven steps leading up to the altar. The floor of the church is of wood blocks, with tiles in the chancel and passages. The tracery of the windows is varied, those in the clerestory being square-headed and simple in character. The building will be of stone inside and out, with no plaster. It is to seat 650 persons, and the sittings are to be free and unappropriated. [Church Times 28 October 1887 page 870].

NEW CHURCHES AT CLECKHEATON - Two new churches are on the point of completion at Cleckheaton—one at Moorbottom and another at Oakenshaw. The former is the new church of St. Luke, which we illustrated some little time ago. It is designed by Mr. Medland Taylor, of Manchester, and is in the Gothic style, with chancel, north and south aisles, and tower and spire complete, and will accommodate 640 worshippers. The nave measures 75ft. by 26ft., and the chancel 26ft. by 24 ft., With a height of 45 ft. to the ridge-piece in the nave. At the west end, instead of forming a straight line, the western wall forms two sides of a triangle, and from the apex of this triangle springs an arch, the opposite end of which rests upon a substantial clustered six-foil column standing in the western transept, and which receives also the terminal arches at an angle from the north and south aisles. Midway between this column and the apex of the triangular space stands the font, while on either side is a small stained-glass window. Let into the south wall of the chancel are the sedilia and credence in finely-wrought stone. On the label moulds of the chancel arch, wearing the mitre, are carved the heads Of the Bishops of Ripon and Wakefield, to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone by the one, and the consecration of the building by the other; while on the label moulds of the nave arches at the north-east and south-east, are carved the Cross and the Crown. A reredos is also to be erected in pink Ancaster and white Caen stone. The centre part, in Caen stone, is a group in deep relief representing the institution of the Lord s Supper, whilst on either side are figures of the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, in niches backed by panels of selected red alabaster. In the wings, also niches backed by alabaster, are figures of the four Evangelists, 3ft. 3in. in height. Above the canopy of the central group is the sacred monogram I.H.S., from which springs the stem of a vine, which, dividing into two branches, extends to the ends of the cornice, with grapes and vine leaves. The work is by Mr. R. Boulton, of Cheltenham. The font is of brown Ancaster stone, with marble pillars, alternately red and black. A special feature has also been made of tracery in the glass, and in this respect no two windows are alike. The chancel, the aisles, and a space around the base of the font are tiled, and the whole interior of the building is of wrought stone. The roof is of Memel timber, and the pews and general furniture are of polished pitch pine. Beneath the chancel is a parish room, and over the clergy vestry an organ chamber. The tip of the spire is 112ft. from the ground. In the tower will be placed a three-faced clock, and above the clock face, over the main entrance, is a carved figure of a winged ox, the emblem of S. Luke. The total cost will be about £6,000. The work has been carried out under the supervision of Mr. James Drake, for Messrs. l. and W. Beanland, of Bradford, up to the time of their failure, and since then for the trustee, Mr. W. M. Gray, of Bradford. [Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Monday 22 April 1889 page 5]

Reference    Church Times 28 October 1887 page 870 - foundation
Reference    Manchester Guardian 27 October 1885 page 7 CHECK
Reference    Manchester Courier 4 October 1887 page 6
Reference    Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Monday 22 April 1889 page 5