Church Bank, Sowerby Bridge

 Church Bank is a cobbled road that was once one of the main routes down the hillside connecting with Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge. Now a hidden away pedestrian route with access from Wharf Street available to cars but blocked from Church View - Sunnybank Street, offering only access to pedestrians and cyclists. The roads status as a access route to Wharf Street ended in the 1950's when Tuel Lane was extended and the Rochdale Canal filled in, around this time some local authority housing was built on the Church Bank hillside and the road was closed to thru traffic.

About a quarter of the way up the hill is Orrell House, which occupies a plot of land between Church Bank and Grange Place, the house was once used as a doctors surgery but has been a private residence for a number of years.

These pictures were taken on the 10 April 2022 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera, they can also be seen full size, resolution and un-watermarked on Clickasnap.

Taken from the bottom of Church Bank, with Wharf Street behind me, Orrell House
is largely hidden from view to the right of the picture.

Taken from the top of Church Bank, Sunnybank Street behind me and Church
View to my right. Christ Church can be seen in the centre of the image.

About half way up or down, Church View can be seen to the left.

Looking down with Wharf Street Visible, Orrell House is
hidden behind the wall to my left.

Again about half way up or down depending on your perspective,
it's hard to believe this was once a busy route in to town.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Priest Lane and Ripponden Church Spire.

 Ripponden cobbles is a short road known as Priest Lane that runs down from the A58 Halifax Road, passing the Old Bridge Inn, crossing the River Ryburn before ending near to St Bartholomew's Church, Ripponden. The picture below was taken just beyond the Old Bridge Inn looking up towards the A58.

The following 3 pictures show Ripponden Parish Church or St Bartholomew's by its better known name. They were taken at differing angles. 

St Bartholomew's Church occupies a site alongside the River Ryburn in what is considered the historic township of Barkisland, it is very much considered Ripponden now with Barkisland sitting atop the nearby hill overlooking Ripponden. The first place of worship to occupy the site was a small chapel which was consecrated in 1465. A much larger church was built as a replacement in 1610 and again this was replaced when a new church was opened in 1731. The 1610 church having been badly damaged by the flood of 1722 when the River Ryburn rose by over 20 foot, the flooding caused a few graves to be washed away and the deaths of 15 people who all lived nearby. 

The third church to occupy the site lasted until 1867 when the roof was in such a bad state of repair the building was closed and demolished to be replaced by the current St Bartholomew's which opened in June 1870. George Shaw of Saddleworth was the architect and builder. The church underwent repairs to the belfry in 1876, when the nearby Ripponden Mill burnt down and sparks from the fire reached the belfry.  There has only been minor alterations since with windows replaced and a new organ installed. There is a local legend that says the people of Barkisland refused to contribute to the cleaning of the church clock and that is why the clock facing Barkisland is left uncleaned.

The church pictured from across the River Ryburn near to
the Old Bridge Inn. The river rose over 20 feet in 1722.

The church pictured from the B6113 Elland Road (Ripponden Bank).The dirty
Barkisland facing clock face can be seen on the right of the spire.

The church pictured from the abandoned Rishworth Branch Line

The pictures were taken on the 29 April 2017 using a Nikon d3300. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the version on Clickasnap.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.