Wedding ceremony at Wainsgate Baptist chapel

The Baptist cause was particularly strong in the Hebden Bridge area where several chapels were built from the mid 18th century onwards. None is earlier than Wainsgate, founded in 1759 by the famous Baptist preacher and author Dr John Fawcett. The present chapel is the third on the site and is dated 1859. The richness of its interior, one of the finest in Calderdale, is in startling contrast to its plain and simple appearance from outside. Almost a hundred years ago £1,000 was raised by subscription in a fortnight to install new seating, choir stalls, pulpit and organ. The local Mitchell family paid for the ornate octagonal marble pulpit with Carrara panels which was designed by Anthony Welsh of Leeds. Text from: Calderdale Architecture and History.