Treasures Revealed in Hebden Bridge

In the St James (the Greater) Parish Church of Hebden Bridge this is a week full of activities, some of then related to the Brontë connections of the place (mainly through the figure of the Rev Sutcliffe Sowden who was their 1841-1861 incumbent, until his death by drowning in a nearby canal):

Treasures Revealed in West Yorkshire

St James (the Greater) Parish Church of Hebden Bridge was consecrated on 5 October 1833 by the Archbishop of York and was originally a Chapel of Ease within the ancient parish of Halifax, to where it was assigned in 1844. The Chancel was built in 1874 when the present stone pulpit was installed.

The stained glass windows were executed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne of Covent Garden, London. In 1903 plans were adopted for a side chapel in memory of two brothers – Rev Sutcliffe Sowden (incumbent 1841-1861 and an intimate friend of Rev. Arthur Bell Nichols and Charlotte Brontë) and George Sowden (1861-1899). Sutcliffe Sowden performed the marriage ceremony for Rev Nicholls and Charlotte Brontë and ultimately performed Charlotte’s funeral. In turn, Nicholls performed Sutcliffe Sowden’s funeral upon his demise.

The beautiful reredos was carved in Italy and erected in 1933, and the organ is one of the best in the Calder Valley.

Information Packs

Members of the congregation at St James have put together some information packs as PDF files that are free to download.

St James the Great - Brontë Connection part 1
St James the Great - Brontë Connection part 2
St James the Great - Brontë Connection part 3
St James the Great - Brontë Connection part 4

Events

• Sat 11 Sep

The Brontë Sisters (12:30 pm). Children’s Treasure Hunt (2 pm). Church History Tour (2:15 pm)
Film: Jane Eyre (7.30 pm). Supper

• Sun 12 Sep

Pie & Peas (6:15pm). Recollections of the Brontës (6:45pm-9:30pm)

• Mon 13 Sep

Brontë Documentary (12:30pm-1:30pm)
Church Tour (3:00pm)

More information in the Halifax Evening Courier.

And also tomorrow at the Brontë Parsonage Museum:

Fair Intents:
Ecofair in Parson's Field behind the Brontë Parsonage Museum with a wide range of local products and projects to try, in conjunction with Haworth Arts Festival. For times and details see www.fairintents.org.uk

Categories: Art-Exhibitions, Brontë Parsonage Museum, Brontëana