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ST.
PAUL'S CHURCH, CROSS STONE, TODMORDEN
IN THE TOWNSHIP OF STANSFIELD
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There
has been a church here since about 1450 and it was built as
a Chapel of Ease for Heptonstall Parish to serve the townships
of Stansfield and Langfield. It is built high up on the hills
above the Todmorden valley, with wonderful views over the
surrounding countryside. No way up to it is easy and it must
have been quite a task to get a coffin up there on a snowy
day in winter. It wouldn't have been very pleasant for the
mourners either, who would probably have had to walk to the
graveyard. |
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Evidence
of an earlier church building is shown by a stone lintel
bearing the date 1619, which now rests ontop of a row
of coal houses belonging to a terrace of houses. It
was removed from St. Paul's when the church was re-built
in 1833. |
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The
inscription on the stone lintel reads:
1619
Dove Deo |
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In
1643 the vicar was a Jonathon Scholfield, who in that same
year led a Parliamentary assault singing Psalm 68. By 1670
Samuel Gregson was the curate. He was the son of Robert Gregson
and owned property in Mytholmroyd, namely, Stoney End, a clothiers
house, dated RG1629, the RG for his father. Later, two of
the infamous Cragg Vale Coiners lived here. He also owned
Thimeley Bent, a farmhouse near to Stoney End, dated 1500,
and which was rebuilt in 1908. Both these properties were
sold in 1673.
Some
papers relating to Langfield in 1786 say in reference to Cross
Stone, "The gift of the said chapel, belongs to the
Vicar of Halifax for the time being and the chapel is repaired
by and at the expense of the inhabitants of Stansfield and
Langfield, Stansfield paying two thirds and Langfield one
third."
By
1829, John Fennel was vicar. Before he got the Cross Stone
appointment, he was a Methodist preacher, being the first
head teacher in 1812, at Woodhouse Grove Wesleyan School.
He was dismissed from there for spending too much time arranging
picnics for his niece Maria Branwell, who later married the
Rev. Patrick Bronte. John's wife died at Cross Stone Parsonage
on May 26th 1829, soon after his appointment there. He is
later reported to be living in Castle Street, where he took
in boarders, possibly to supplement his vicar's pay.
In
1833 the church was pulled down and a new one built on the
same site. Some of the bits of the old building were taken
by cart down the hill to Swan, at Millwood, and rebuilt into
a house called Swan Grove which is on the left hand side of
Halifax Road. It is reported that the graves were also disturbed
and bones taken out of them.
In
one part of the church building was a caretaker's cottage
where Mally Stephenson bore a son called Robert. This family
were involved as clerks of the church for a considerable length
of time. One Robert served for 39 years and died in 1840 and
another Robert Stephenson served from 1861 and in 1885 was
presented with a timepiece in a black marble surround for
his services of 24 years.
During
the 1800's when Joseph Atkinson was vicar at St. Mary's, he
also had the task of taking the Sunday services at both St.
Mary's and St. Paul's. One would be held in the morning and
one after lunch, so he would have a quick meal and then dash
off to take the other service. They would alternate the times,
so that if St. Mary's was a morning service one week, then
the next week, it would be an afternoon service and vice versa
for St. Paul's. The Rev. Atkinson also had a small farm at
Roomfield and was regularly to be seen in his clogs, driving
his stirks to St Mary's churchyard to graze.
Also
sometime in the 1800's Charles Eastwood was employed as a
farmer's man to George Eccles who ran the White Hart Inn.
His duties were to look after the travellers' horses, feed
the pigs and generally make himself useful. He made a request
whilst he was still alive that when he died and before he
was buried at Cross Stone, the hearse should stop at Butchers
Laith, near the church, his coffin be taken out and the lid
opened, so that he could look over Langfield and his birthplace
one last time. This event didn't happen as it was thought
that his eyes were dim!! |
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In
1881 the church had to close for repairs, which cost
£500 and it was reopened on 29th September 1881.
In 1889 more extensive alterations were needed and it
again closed and reopened on the 14th December 1889.
The Bishop of the Diocese was present and read the dedication
prayer and also preached the sermon. The cost of the
alterations was £1,600. |
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By
1894 dry rot had attacked the church and a sale of work
was held over the two days of 4th and 5th of December.
The repairs had cost between £120-£130 and
the sale raised £180. More than enough to pay
for the repairs with money left over. |
Please
click on image to enlarge
Photo
kindly supplied by Frank Woolrych |
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In
1911 there was a dedication by the Lord Bishop of Wakefield
for the peel of bells, oak reredos, 3 stained glass
windows and other gifts. In 1994 Cross Stone and Todmorden
parishes merged. |
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In recent times the fabric of the building became unsafe and the church was closed and converted to a private house. The congregation moved down the hill, where for a brief time the people used the old NATIONAL SCHOOL building at Priestwell. In due course they moved to the churches in Todmorden. |
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The
Endowed School
A
few years after 1713 a man named Pilling collected £65
from friends in London and with local help as well, he built
a schoolhouse near Cross Stone Church. It was maintained by
the chapelry and in 1743 the interest on the money made £3
a year, which paid for the free instruction of six poor children.
The teacher was the chapelry clerk and he was paid by the
parents of the 30-40 schoolchildren for instructing them in
reading and writing.
A
William Greenwood says that he held school on Sunday mornings
and up to twenty children attended. They were charged one
penny a week. Quills cost half a penny, copy books two pennies,
a reading easy was sixpence and "rithmetic" was
one shilling and eight pence. |
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There
is an inscription dated 1805 on the wall of the school,
which says:
Train
up a child in the way
he should go
And
when he is old he will not depart from it.
Prov.XX11.6
1805 Thos. Ashworth Sculp. |
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Built
into the east side of the church wall are the stocks,
which are the most well preserved in the area. |
The
top room housed the school and the bottom served as
the jail, whilst the far right hand end of the house
was the home of the schoolmaster.
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The baptism, marriage and burial registers have been transcribed and are available on a series of CD's from the CALDERDALE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
They
have also been transcribed in full by Douglas Wilson
M.A. and are available for purchase, in several printed volumes,
at the TODMORDEN INFORMATION OFFICE
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Old and New Burial
Grounds
(photos of the burial grounds kindly sent by Karen Greenwood)
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The
church is now closed to the public and is in private ownership.
The original burial ground surrounds the church. It is closed
to the public and there is no access except to those with
influence. Even for those who do manage to gain entry, it
is a jungle. The graves are poorly maintained. |
Many have weathered
and are unreadable, and many are inaccessible. Some are buried.
This is why we are privileged to be able to publish the work
of the Todmorden Antiquarians. |
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The new burial ground is sited
across the lane from the church, and is vast. It is still
in use today. Much of it is easy to access and many graves
are in reasonable condition, but not all by any means. |
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Below
is a collection of memorial inscriptions and photographs
from
the new burial ground, followed by a complete index of those buried there with a plan of the ground, and a transcription of as many of the graves in the old burial ground as is possible to transcribe: |
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In Loving Memory of
Thomas Ingham STANSFIELD
Who died Nov 5th 1943 aged 73 years
Also his daughters
Lilian May, died June 30th 1910 aged 10 years
and Nellie, aged 18 years.
Also Mary Ann, his beloved wife
Died May 6th 1963 aged 92 years.
(kindly sent by their grandson Keith Stansfield)
Row 6/33 |
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In Memoriam
Robert Sutcliffe GREENWOOD
Who died August 14th 1936 aged 56 years
At Rest
Also Joseph, son of the above aged 3 months
Also Margaret Agnes, wife of above
Who died May 13th 1949 aged 64 years
(Kindly sent by Keith Stansfield)
Row 6/34 |
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In loving memory of Lily, wife of Albert Ernest NICHOLLS,
Newland Villas
Died July 30th 1928 aged 52 years
Also Cyril, son of the above
Died Sept. 8th 1956 aged 55 years
Also Tilly, wife of the above
Who died Sept 4th 1994 aged 92 years.
The vase inscription says 7th July 1941 in memory of Peter
son of Cyril & Tilly, born and died on this date.
(Kindly sent by Carol)
Row 18 Grave 10 |
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In
Loving Memory of
Bertie
Beloved Son of
Robert & Ellen HORSFALL
of Cambridge Street
Born Sept. 26th 1894
Died April 13th 1913
Also the Above
Robert HORSFALL
Died May 12th 1932
Aged 73 Years
Also of the Above
Ellen HORSFALL
Died Jany 26th 1936
Aged 73 Years
To Memory Ever After
(kindly sent by Kathleen Cooper of California)
Row 4 Grave 56 |
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In Loving Memory of John William UTTLEY of Eastlee,
Who died July 31st 1891 aged 39 years
Also of John, son of the above, who died April 18th 1882 aged 14 months
Also of Stephen, son of the above,
Who died May 14th 1916 aged 25 years
“Dearly Loved”
Also of Ellen Ann, wife of the above,
who died July 26th 1922 aged 72 years
“Peace Perfect Peace”
Also of Mary Ellen, daughter of the above,
who died March 2nd 1957 aged 81 years |
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In Loving Memory of Private Will GREENWOOD
The dearly beloved son of Thomas and Emily GREENWOOD
15th Royal Scots, attached to the M.G.C.
Who died of wounds in France Jan. 30th 1918 aged 25 years
“A Noble Life, A Noble Death”
Also of the above named Thomas GREENWOOD of Union Street South
Who died November 17th 1918 aged 52 years
“Until The Day Dawn”
Also of Emily, wife of Thomas GREENWOOD, died Jan. 9th 1931 aged 62 years
“Peace Perfect Peace” |
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In Loving Memory of Joseph MIDGLEY of Hollins Walsden
Born May 27th 1824 died Sept 25th 1898
His End Was Peace
Also of Sally wife of the above born Novr 1st 1833 died Septr 11th 1904
Thy Will Be Done
Also of Elizabeth BARNES daughter of the above named Sally MIDGLEY
Born March 9th 1857 Died November 8th 1909
At rest |
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In Loving Memory of Hannah, wife of JamesMITCHELL
of Hollins Road, Walsden
Who died Novr. 13th 1912 aged 26 years
Also Albert, died in infancy |
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In loving memory of a dear husband & father George ROWE, of Ramsden Wood, Walsden.
March 15th 1932. Aged 81 years.
Also Catherine wife of the above
April 24th 1936, aged 75 years.
(sent by Karen Greenwood) |
In loving remembrance of Ann wife of Arthur WEST
24 Sedburgh Ave. Marton, Blackpool.
Born Jan 27th 1873 died April 2nd 1940
also of her beloved husband Arthur WEST
born March 3rd 1871 died May 21st 1941 |
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In memory of Mary Hannah the daughter of Marmaduke
and Sarah Ellen MALLISON of Oldroyd
who departed this life February 5th 1878 in the eighteenth year of her age.
Also of Fanny their daughter born May 25th 1857 died September 25th 1880.
Also of the above named Sarah Ellen MALLISON
born February 28th 1836 died July 9th 1906.
Also of the above named Marmaduke MALLISON
born November 16th 1834 died May 8th 1908.
Also of Sally daughter of the above Marmaduke and Sarah Ellen MALLISON
born December 18th 1854 died 30th November 1924
At Rest |
In
Loving Memory of John STOTT Woodside Cottage
Born
Jan 10th 1826, died Mar 26th 1902
Also
Mary wife of the above born Feb 2nd 1836, died Nov 7th
1912
Also
Hannah the dearly beloved Wife of Thomas Stott
Of
Claremont Place, Todmorden. born
Dec 9th 1860, died Sept 30th 1920
Also
Thomas eldest son of the Above John and Mary Stott
who
entered into rest May 14th 1948 in his 90th year.
Also
John William son of the above born
Sept 21st 1865 died May 22nd 1871
Also
Annie daughter of the above born
Oct 18th 1866, died Jan 7th 1867
Also
Emily daughter of the above born
Nov 26th 1867, died Dec 15th 1872
It
is the Lord. Let Him do what seemeth Him good |
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In
Memory of Willie the son of William and Alice BARKER
of Fir Trees, Bacup
Who
died July 30th 1866 aged 9 months
Also
of the above named William BARKER of Fir Trees, Bacup
Who
died March 27th 1886 aged 53 years
Also
of Alice his wife who died April 2nd 1887 aged 54 years
Also
of Alfred BARKER son of the above
Who
died August 7th 1902 aged 37 years
At
Rest |
Sacred
to the memory of Abraham PILLING of Fair View Todmorden
who
died July 31st 1888 aged 52 years.
Also
of Jane wife of the above who died May 14th 1922 aged
71 years.
Also
of Hannah daughter of the above
who died January 13th 1868 aged
7 months.
Also
of William Arthur son of the above
who
died April 22nd 1878 aged 10 months.
Also
of Edith daughter of Abraham and Jane Pilling
born
Apr. 14th 1872 died Dec. 5th 1957,
widow
of Alfred NUTTALL of St Annes on Sea
and
formerly wife of Ald. Robert JACKSON J.P. O.B.E. |
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In
loving memory of Mary Hannah the wife of Alfred HAIGH
of Joshua St., Todmorden
who died Feby 1895 aged 27 years |
In
Affectionate remembrance of Alice Hannah
daughter
of John and Mary BLACKA
who died Jany 27th 1872 aged
20 years.
Also the above named Mary who died Feby 18th 1880 aged
60 years.
Also the above named John who died Novr. 6th 1888 aged
69 years. |
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In
memory of Eliza the daughter of Thomas and Grace HOLLINRAKE
of
Lineholme Villas. Born Septr 3rd 1875 died Septr 12th
1875.
Also of Elizabeth Ann their daughter
who
died Novr 6th 1875? Aged 11 years.
Also
of the above named Thomas Hollinrake
who
died November 17th 1890 aged 55 years.
Also
of Grace relict of the above Thomas Hollinrake
who
departed this life Nov 6th 1911 aged 72 years. |
In
remembrance of Elizabeth wife of Abraham GILL of Hallroyd
who
departed this life Jany 1st 1871 aged 40 years.
Also
of the above named Abraham Gill
who
died Novr 13th 1894 aged 66 years. |
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Sacred
to the memory of Mary
the beloved daughter of Edward and Hannah WOODHEAD of
Shade
who died May 11 th 1871 aged 28 years.
Also
of the above named Edward Woodhead
who died Novr 11th 1871 aged 76
years.
Also
of the above named Hannah Woodhead
who
died Jany 3rd 1876 aged 78 years. |
Sacred
to the memory of Thomas HEYWORTH of Woodhouse Langfield
who
died Sept 19th 1875 aged 77 years.
Also of Sarah daughter of Thomas Heyworth and Ada MITCHELL
of Wellington Road. Born Novr 6th 1886. Died Novr 7th
1887.
Also
of Alice daughter of the above of Cliff Villas.
Born Dec 23rd 1890. Died Nov 20th
1918.
Also
of the above named Thomas Heyworth MITCHELL.
Born
Novr 12th 1856. Died May 14th 1924. |
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In
memory of Emily daughter of Luke and Mary FIELDEN of
Gauxholme Place
who died November 20th 1868 aged 7 months
Also
of Joseph Arthur their son
who died September
19th 1871 aged 17 months
Also
of Annie their daughter who died November 30th 1873
in her 2nd year
"Of
such is the Kingdom of Heaven"
Also
of Ernest their son who died January 24 th 1903 aged
28 years.
"Thy
will be done"
Also
of the above Luke FIELDEN who died January 23rd 1910
aged 69 years
Also
of the above Mary FIELDEN who died July 5th 1912 aged
72 years. |
JOHN
WOODHEAD of Butcher Hill died March 27 1860 aged 53. |
Harriet
wife of Lewis HAIGH of Todmorden, died Sept. 29th 1875 aged
36 yrs.
Also
of Grace Ann daughter of Lewis and Amanda HAIGH of Todmorden
born
Dec. 9th 1880, died Nov 6th 1881.
Also of Amanda, wife of Lewis HAIGH of Todmorden
born Sept. 19th 1848, died July 6th 1866.
Also of the above Lewis HAIGH, born Dec 16th 1848, died March
13th 1897.
Also Herbert CARTER, died May 27th 1958 aged 74yrs. |
Betsy
, beloved daughter of James and Ann HAIGH of Todmorden,
born Jan. 22nd 1864, died Feb 10th 1882
Also of the above named James HAIGH who died Jan. 17th 1905
in his 83rd yr
Also of the above named Ann HAIGH who died Sept 14th 1907
in her 81st yr.
Also of Thomas son of the above who died Dec. 9th 1937 aged
69yrs. |
THOMAS
LAW of Gauxholme died January 15th . 1873 aged 77
Also
SAMUEL HOWARTH of Wadsworth Mill died April 19th . 1881 aged
51
Also
JANE wife of above Samuel died November 15th . 1892
Also
SUSAN their daughter died July 28th . 1893 aged 31
Also
MARIA wife of Samuel Howarth died June 19th . 1884 aged 25
Also
FRED their son died October 29th . 1895 aged 17. |
Alice
wife of Robert LAW of Knowlwood Todmorden
died
April 26th 1861 in her 35th Year.
Also
above named Robert died at Rochdale October 13th . 1885 aged
56
Also
Elizabeth wife of said Robert died August 10th . 1895 aged
66. |
Ruth
daughter of William and Susey LAWof Willow Bank
died
March 10th 1879 aged 16 months,
also
an infant.
Also
Hannah Mary their daughter died June 2nd . 1881 aged 5 years
10 months
Also
above named William of Sandbed
born
March 21st 1845 died November 27th 1911
Also
Susey the wife of above named William
born
December 19th 1843 died April 3rd 1930.
Also
Olive sister of above named William LAW died April 22nd 1890
aged 41.
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Sarah
Ann LAW the beloved wife of Samuel LAW of 18, Bottoms, Walsden
who
departed this life August 5th 1885 aged 41 years.
Also
of Enoch their son who departed this life September 6th 188?
aged 2 years
Also
of the above named Samuel LAW who died April 20 190? aged
53 years. |
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All
the graves have been painstakingly sorted and transcribed by Robert
Priestley and Jean & David Uttley, in conjunction with the Todmorden
Antiquarian Society, and we are grateful for their permission to
publish the transcriptions.
click
on the required link
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