The
present church of St Peter, originally dedicated to St Peter and St
Paul, is the fourth stone church to occupy this site. No proof exists
but it is probable that a Saxon church or at least a preaching cross
was here before the Norman Conquest. The Saxon settlement of 'Burg-Steall'
(which evolved into Birstall) means the 'place of the fortified homestead'.
The settlement was fortified, no doubt, against the heathen King Penda,
and this indicates that it was a Christian settlement and this would
account for the stone base of a preaching cross carved with a Saxon
tree pattern to be found in the church today. In the church there is
also, what is believed to be, a Saxon grave slab.
The first
stone church was built around 1100AD. The lower part of the tower is
all that remains from that building. It was extended in 1200. In 1301
the community of Nostel Priory were app
ointed Rectors of the Parish
and under their auspices the church was rebuilt between 1320 and 1390.
From that period we have a Norman font, holy water stoops, part of a
grave slab and three Knight Hospitaller tombstones.
In 1490
the church was rebuilt again and it is in this era that St Paul was
dropped from the dedication. This Tudor church was changed and added
to during its 375 years. We have some remarkable carved pew ends and
a unique memorial brass from this church.
Between
1865 and 1870 the present church was built, the previous one having
become too dilapidated to repair. The architect was a Mr W H Crossland
who incorporated into his design all the best features of church architecture
over the centuries, but retained the Norman tower.
In 1997
a narthex wall was added to create a kitchen and fellowship area. In
2000 the side aisle were cleared to create adaptable space where exhibition,
meetings, suppers etc. are now held. Plans are in place to create a
room for the church Youth in the ground floor area of the tower.
The
Frampton Mural
In
1901 Reginald E Frampton (1872-1923), the Pre-Raphaelite artist,
was commissioned to paint a mural above the chancel arch. It shows
Christ in Majesty surrounded by angels. It is one of the few surviving
mural paintings by Frampton. It has become seriously damaged in
some areas by rainwater infiltration and visually marred by localised
repainting and above all by the darkening of an unevenly applied
coating. It is the subject of a conservation programme
to protect
it for the future.
Stained Glass
The church
is the home of some beautiful stained glass windows including the work
of Charles Kempe, who was of Munich, designer to the Royal Court of
Bavaria.a famous glass designer of the 19th century, as well as that
of J B Capronnier of Belgium, F X Zettler.
Famous
People
Ellen
Nussey, lifelong friend of Charlotte Bronte lived her life in Birstall
and worshiped in the church. It is through the correspondence they
exchanged that we know so much about Charlotte. They attended school
together nearby and later Charlotte visited Ellen many times. It is
said that she checked the proofs of Jane Eyre in the garden of Ellen's
home and we know that ‘Briarfield Church’ in Charlotte's
novel Shirley is modelled on
Birstall church. Ellen's grave is one of the few remaining tombstones
in the churchyard.
John Nelson,
who was born in Birstall in 1707, was converted to Methodism after hearing
John Wesley preach whilst he was in London, where he was working. They
became friends and Nelson became a helper, faithfully declaring and
preaching the Gospel in many parts of the country. His tombstone is
in the churchyard opposite the Vestry door and a m
emorial plaque in
mounted on the wall of the south aisle.
Joseph Priestley is
always worthy of a mention. He was born in Birstall in 1707 and went
on to discover oxygen. His statue stands in the Market Place and a family
gravestone lies near the main door of the church.
The
Ancient Parish of Birstall
The parish
of Birstall (or Birstal as it was used to be spelt) covered a significant
area of the local countryside. At one time it included the whole area
now sub-divided into the parishes of Tong (1727); Whitechapel (1732);
Birkenshaw, Drub, East Bierley and Hunsworth (1842); Heckmondwike (1842);
Cleckheaton St John (1842); Gomersal (1846); Wyke (1847); Roberttown
(including Norristhorpe) (1847); Drighlington (with Adwalton) (1847);
Liversedge (1860); Brownhill - formed partly from Birstall and partly
from Batley (1871); Oakenshaw (1877); Cleckheaton, St Luke (1878); Heckmondwike
- St Saviours (1872); Hightown (1911); and Scholes (1929). It is for
this reason that the Birstall Parish Church records are so significant
for the whole of this area and many wish to consult them whilst researching
family history.
The
present church of St Peter, originally dedicated to St Peter and St
Paul, is the fourth stone church to occupy this site. No proof exists
but it is probable that a Saxon church or at least a preaching cross
was here before the Norman Conquest. The Saxon settlement of 'Burg-Steall'
(which evolved into Birstall) means the 'place of the fortified homestead'.
The settlement was fortified, no doubt, against the heathen King Penda,
and this indicates that it was a Christian settlement and this would
account for the stone base of a preaching cross carved with a Saxon
tree pattern to be found in the church today. In the church there is
also, what is believed to be, a Saxon grave slab.
Between
1865 and 1870 the present church was built, the previous one having
become too dilapidated to repair. The architect was a Mr W H Crossland
who incorporated into his design all the best features of church architecture
over the centuries, but retained the Norman tower.
In
1901 Reginald E Frampton (1872-1923), the Pre-Raphaelite artist,
was commissioned to paint a mural above the chancel arch. It shows
Christ in Majesty surrounded by angels. It is one of the few surviving
mural paintings by Frampton. It has become seriously damaged in
some areas by rainwater infiltration and visually marred by localised
repainting and above all by the darkening of an unevenly applied
coating. It is the subject of a conservation programme
to protect
it for the future.
Birstall church. Ellen's grave is one of the few remaining tombstones
in the churchyard.