St Bartholomew’s Church, Ripponden

The sketch and description are from The Calderdale Sketch Book by JL Berbiers, published in 1973 by The Halifax Courier Ltd. There have been four church buildings near the River Ryburn in the long history of Ripponden. The present spired edifice, dedicated to St Bartholomew, was built in 1868 and still dominates the surrounding area. The earliest religious sanctuary was founded by Richard, Duke of York, who was slain at the Battle of Wakefield in 1460, the building being constructed shortly before his death. On August 26th 1464, Richard’s son King Edward IV granted a charter to the church – one of the few churches left to have the distinction of being endowed with a Royal Charter. It was entirely rebuilt in 1610 and again on higher ground several years after the Great Ryburn Flood which swept through the village in 1722. An oil painting of the third church hangs inside the present building alongside several other relics, including some stained glass which is probably part of the original chapel. PH/25.