Todmorden Unitarian Church

The Unitarian movement originated in Todmorden in the early 19th century, and one of their prominent members was John Fielden, a local mill owner and a social reformer, who later became a Member of Parliament. Because of his work, Fielden has been nicknamed "Honest John". The Unitarians built their first chapel and school in 1823, and the congregation steadily increased in size. Fielden died in 1849. After his death, the Unitarian community continued to grow, and the chapel became inadequate for their needs. In 1865 building of a new church started. This was built in memory of John Fielden and paid for by his three sons, Joshua, John (junior) and Samuel. It was built on land they owned at…

The church was designed by John Gibson. Gibson had previously worked for the Fielden family and had designed Dobroyd Castle for John Fielden (junior) on the opposite side of the valley. It is constructed in stone with a slate roof. Its plan consists of a seven-bay nave with aisles, transepts, a single-bay chancel, a porch, and a large tower with a spire. It is in Gothic style. At the west end is an elaborate rose window, and at the east end is a five-light window. The nave windows have two lights with traceried heads. Along the nave wall are buttresses and a string course carved with flowers. The tower is in three stages with angle buttresses and two-light bell openings. Its lowest stage…