St Peter’s Church, Sowerby

The sketch and description are from The Calderdale Sketch Book by JL Berbiers, published in 1973 by The Halifax Courier Ltd. The present St Peter’s Church, Sowerby, is the third to be built on or near this site. The first service in this building was held on January 3rd 1763, but the church was not consecrated until April 27th 1847, owing to a dispute regarding the ownership of part of the land on which it was built. Few people pass through the district without noting the outer features of the church, with its handsome tower predominant, standing sentinel over the village. Inside the church is a full length statue by Joseph Wilton, RA of the Most Rev John Tillotson, DD, who was born at Haugh End, Sowerby in 1630, became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1691 and died three years later. This fine statue was erected at the cost of George Stansfield of Field House, Sowerby. PH/25.