The history of Scholes Church

The first place of worship in Scholes was the Methodist Chapel which was located in Webster Lane (now called Scholes Lane) at the bottom of the "moor". It opened in 1824 

Whitechapel was the nearest Anglican church but out of the 300 seats available only 56 were for those from Scholes. The Rev.  R. F. Taylor realised that Scholes needed its own place of worship and in 1873 the National School was licensed for Sunday morning and evening services. The room in the school could seat 100 people and was always full.

19 Nov 1875 - Tenders were invited from builders for the erection of the church, which should be sent to architects, T.H. & F. Healey, Bradford.

The foundation stone for the church was laid on 3 Jun 1876 by Mr. Harold Hardy of Low Moor House, son of the Rt. Hon. Gaythorne Hardy, M.P. It was estimated that the cost of building would be in the region of £4000, of which, over £3000 had already been raised by subscription. The site of the church was purchased from William Sharp for £300.

The new church will consist of a nave 65ft by 25ft; north aisle 64ft by 11ft; chancel 32ft by 2ft 6in; organ chamber and choristers' vestry beneath the twoer at the east end of the aisle, and a vestry for clergy on the north side of the chancel.

The style of the church is the English Gothic that prevailed about the close of the twelfth century. The detail throughout is simple in character and the construction substantial; thin walls and light timbers, as well as carved stone work, have been studiously avoided.

The points that have received rather more elaborate treatment than the rest are the south porch and the east window. The former has a deeply recessed and moulded archway, with stone shafts in the jambs and an inner doorway with fairly moulded jambs and cusped arch. The east window of the chancel consists of one broad lancet headed light, with clustered columns in the jambs, both inside and outside, and moulded rear arch.

The apex of the chancel gable is finished in ashlar and contains a moulded trefoil opening. Excepting the rose window in the west gable of the nave, all the windows are plane lancet headed openings, with boasted ashlar dressings. The nave and north aisle are divided by an arcade of four stone arches in two rims, supported by circular shafts with moulded capitals and bases; and massive stone arches in the lower stage of the tower open into the chancel and north aisle.

When complete the tower and spire will rise to a height of 112 feet above the ground, but at present it is intended to build the lower stage only, and to finish it with a temporary gable reaching to the ridge of the chancel roof, and containing an arched opening for the bell. All the roofs will be boarded, stained and varnished internally. The walls only will be plastered. All the windows will be filled with cathedral glass in varied tints. The seats are to be open, with sloping backs and moulded elbows, stained and varnished. Accommodation is provided for 474 persons on the ground floor only.

The architects are Messrs. T.H. and F. Healey of Bradford. The various contractors are - Masons: Messrs. Holdsworth Brothers, Wyke; Joiners: Messrs. Crossley and Allatt, Cleckheaton; Slaters: Messrs. Hill and Nelson, Bradford; Plumber: Mr G. Nellum; Plasterer: Mr F. Clegg and Painter: Mr Jas. Crowther.

The church was consecrated on 12 Dec 1877 by the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt. Rev. Bickersteth in the presence of a large body of clergy and congregation.

The organ was dedicated on 24 Aug 1883.

In 1887, a new oak reredos was erected in the church to celebrate the Jubilee. A memorial brass lectern was also placed in the church at the same time. Works for both have been carried out by Jones & Willis of Birmingham and London.

 The right to conduct marriages at the church was conceded on 12 Sep 1887.

The spire of the church, although originally planned, didn't appear until much later. It was dedicated on 18 Oct 1970 in memory of the Rev. Sam Senior, who had stipulated in his Will that regardless of the cost, he should provide the spire for his native village.

On 3 Jun 1973  the Garden of Remembrance was consecrated for the burial of cremated remains.