Heptonstall Old Church “Old Mad Sal” Gargoyle.

The church, dedicated to St Thomas a Beckett, first dates from the mid-13th century but was re-constructed and enlarged on several occasions over subsequent centuries. By the mid-19th century it was structurally in poor condition and then was badly damaged by a severe gale in 1847. Instead of repairing it was decided to replace with a new building in the same churchyard and this church, dedicated to St Thomas the Apostle, opened in 1854. The old church was largely demolished but today its ruins are preserved.