Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge (Phase 1)

Christ Church is a grade 2 listed building built c. 1821 to the designs of the architect John Oates of Halifax, occupying a prominent position within the township. It has had an unfortunate history: eight years after completion the nave roof began to settle and was rebuilt. In 1894 fire destroyed the roof and a firefighter lost his life. In 1983 extensive dry rot was discovered. In 2001 a report found that extensive and costly repairs were required. In 2005, English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund concluded that the requirement for repairs was most urgent, of the very highest order.