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.[3] Because of his work, Fielden has been nicknamed "Honest John".[4] 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.[3] 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.[1] It was built on land they owned at Honey Hole. "Money was no object to these brothers" and the resulting building, costing over £35,000 (equivalent to £3,470,000 in 2019),[5] was large and splendid, and was built using the best quality materials.[3] The church was completed in 1869 and at its opening service in April of that year the first sermon was preached to a congregation of 800 by William Gaskell, widower of the novelist Elizabeth Gaskell.[3] A lodge (or gatehouse) was built at the same time as the church.[6]

The Unitarian congregation continued to thrive into the 20th century but, as the century progressed, its size declined and it became increasingly difficult to raise funds to keep the church going. It finally closed in 1987.[3] Services continued to be held in the lodge, but these ended in 1992. After the church closed its fabric deteriorated due to a combination of decay and vandalism. It was acquired in 1994 by the Historic Chapels Trust.[4] The Trust has carried out a £1 million programme of repairs. These have included repair of the church roofs, stained glass, clock and peal of bells, restoration of the lodge and the interior of the tower, and the installation of a new heating system, toilets and kitchen. The surrounding historic landscape, including the burial ground, have also been restored.[1] Services began again in 2008 and continue.[8] The church is licensed for weddings.[9] The church is still listed as a member of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, the umbrella organisation for British Unitarians.[10] It is currently the location of regular meetings of the Incredible Edible Todmorden project.

The church is set on a steep slope, surrounded by ornamental gardens, and has a wooded, landscaped burial ground.[1] The lodge associated with the church is a Grade II listed building. It is in a single storey and constructed in stone with a slate roof. Its plan is T-shaped, the projecting wing having two steep gables, a Gothic-style doorway, and a canted bay window.[6] The original Unitarian chapel and Sunday school in Wellfield Terrace is also listed Grade II.[11] It also has a burial ground, and this contains the grave of John Fielden.[3]

• Grade I listed buildings in West Yorkshire
• Grade I listed churches in West Yorkshire
• List of chapels preserved by the Historic Chapels Trust