History

The foundation stone for St. Mary's was laid on the 1st January 1850. The architect for the project was Mr Dobson of Leeds and would cost in the region of £2250. It would be built to accommodate 466 people: 125 for appropriated sittings, 185 free sittings and 156 for children.

The plan of the church consists of a nave with aisles, tower at the west end of the north aisle, chancel with sacristry or vestry at the north side, abutting upon the north aisle. There is a south porch in the second bay from the west. The tower consists of three stories, supported by buttresses of three stages which die away under the belfry storey. The west window of the nave is of four lights, five-foiled, with rich tracery in the head. The west window of the south aisle is of two lights, five-foiled, with a four-foil in the head. The east window of the same aisle is of two lights with four foils in the head. The windows in the aisles north and south are all of three lights, five-foiled with varied tracery in the head.

In the second bay from the west, in the south aisle, is a porch supported by diagonal buttresses which die away under the gablets. The archway is open and intended to have a framed wooden gate. It is lighted by two one light windows. The chancel is entered on the south by a priest's doorway under a square-headed three foil; above which is a window which together with all the other windows of the chancel, except the east one, is similar in character to those in the nave.

The east window is of five lights, three foiled with exceedingly rich and varied tracery in the head. The vestry, on the north side, is entered on the east and lighted on the south. The roofs are of grey slate and lofty pitch and have their gables surmounted by rich stone crosses.

The nave consists of five bays. The aisles are separated from the nave by equilateral arches of two orders, resting upon moulded capitals and octagonal piers. The chancel arch has moulded piers and capitals with emblems of the Passion carved on them. On the south side, angels carrying musical instruments. The north west pier of the nave is designed to carry a portion of the tower.

The wood work is of deal and stained. The pulpit, font and recedos are of Caen stone, carved by Mr. Robert Mawer of Leeds. The recedos contains five compartments within which will be emblazoned the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments. The altar rails are of oak. The west windows of the nave will be of stained glass, the contributions of the poorer members of the church.

On the 25th March 1851, the Lord Bishop of Ripon consecrated the church at a largely attended ceremony.

1911 - A mural tablet is placed near to the Firth stained glass window by the Yorkshire Fire Brigade Friendly Society, in memory of the late Sir Charles Henry Firth, who accomplished most valuable work for the Society.