THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY TODMORDEN

(TH' OLD CHURCH)

A church has stood on the present site for over 500 years. The exact date is not known, but the church was there in 1476 and it is possible the base of the square tower is original. It served the people of Lancashire, being a chapel of ease for the mother church of ST. CHAD'S in Rochdale. The Yorkshire part of the township was served by the chapel of ST. PAUL AT CROSS STONE. They are only a mile or two apart, but Cross Stone church is 300 feet higher up the valley side. Until living memory, the valley between the two was often flooded and always marshy. St. Mary's was known as an Extra Parochial Chapel with unusual rights and privileges, but Todmorden did not become a separate parish until 1866.

A self-styled "rustic court magician" by the name of HENRY CRABTREE descended on Todmorden in 1662 to take up the curacy of St. Mary's. He has to be the most eccentric odd-ball ever to hold the position of vicar, yet he lasted there for an unbelievable 23 years. He wasn't a scholar, but was a blunt and honest Yorkshire man, born in Sowerby. He worked in an age when superstition and belief in witches and wizards was rife, and all daily misfortunes were blamed on these witches and wizards.

photo by kind permission of Faye

of Western Australia

Henry is credited with being the first incumbent to keep Parish records of baptisms, marriages and burials at St. Mary's. Far from the often brief entries of his counterparts to follow, he added many an astrological comment to the register, and sometimes very caustic remarks.

On June 23rd 1669 he buried Edmund Kershaw, adding in the register "with all men's consent", whilst Ruth Fielden was "well buried" on 24th May 1670. In 1685 he baptised James Taylor, who he comments "was born near the setting of the sun and also near a full moon - a sure sign of a short life." His parents were more than likely very unimpressed.

His actions as a physician were eventually his downfall. His biggest mistake was treating a young man who suffered from fits by over-zealous blood letting; "enough for six men at once". He was accused of being in league with the devil and discredited for the rest of his life. He died before 1695 in Todmorden and is buried in an unmarked grave with no reference to the burial in the registers he so carefully created. His wife outlived him and was buried at St. Mary's on December 15th. 1718.

Tablet commemorating Anthony Crossley

of Scaitcliffe

Anthony Crossley of SCAITCLIFFE HALL was the chief contributor to a virtual re-build of the church in 1770 at a cost of £605. A new nave was built and galleries were added.

The parish records include a list of pew sittings in 1778, which states there were a total of 694 seats with over 300 of them being in various lofts, including 27 in the west end reserved for singers.

The Choir

During the incumbency of Rev. Joseph Atkinson (1775 to 1819) the choir at St. Mary's was well known for its prowess. The choir master and instructor was Jeremy Howarth of Knowlood and he offered his home for rehearsals. He was great friends with Moses Dawson, a neighbour from Knowlwood, and together they sang both for wages and for the love of it. The other male voices were Abraham Crossley and John Unsworth, also of Knowlwood, James Woodhead of Swineshead, John Hollingrake of Causeway, James Sutcliffe of Longfield, and Abraham Fielden of NORTH HOLLINGWORTH who also played the bassoon. Joseph Travis of CLOUGH MILL played the organ after its installation in 1805. The lady members were Mary Bottomley, wife of Edmund Woodhead of CLOUGH, and Sarah, wife of John Crowther. Later additions were Betty Fielden and Hannah Barker of Hollingworth, Betty Crossley of Henshaw, Sarah Unsworth and Susan Barker of Knowlwood and Susan Haigh of Pexwood. Other singers joined later, namely; Thomas Barker and James Dawson of Knowlwood, Abraham Crossley junior of Knowlwood Bottom, Thomas and John Law of Watty Farm, and brothers Ely, Abraham and Ned Crossley of GAUXHOLME STONES.

Moses Dawson was the bass singer and had charge of the index board showing the congregation the numbers of the hymns to be sung. Moses continued in the choir all his life, moving to the new church after it was built. By then he was quite old and frail, but insisted on singing, having to prop himself up on a pillar to avoid falling over. His wife always attended the services with him, dressed in a red cloak. Moses sang to the end of his days.

The clerk of the church during the reign of this particular choir was John Shackleton the eldest. John Shackleton was a very well known name in the circles of St. Mary's. Three generations of John Shackletons were the clerks at the old church. John the eldest was the most notorious, born in 1753 and twice married. In addition to his parish clerk duties, he was the sexton, he was a handloom weaver, and he was a newspaper carrier. He also enjoyed a spot of hunting on the moors and often spent too much time at the Royal George Inn, having to be hauled out and carried to his home at one of the Todmorden Hall cottages by his long-suffering wife. After the Sunday morning service he would act as town crier in the churchyard, giving notice in a very loud voice as to where a beast would be killed and the anticipated price per pound so the people would know where to go for fresh meat. Saturdays he went to Wakefield, and later to Halifax, to collect a supply of newspapers, which he distributed to the townsfolk that evening at a cost of 10 pence each. People would seem him arriving with the newspapers in all weathers, summer and winter, without hat, clogs or stockings. He was frequently late for burials, and being the sexton, this could be quite disastrous. He died in 1820 at the age of 67, and is buried in his beloved churchyard with both his long-suffering wives.

Last but not least in this small profile of the singers is the vicar, the Rev. Joseph Atkinson. He had the charge of both St. Mary's and St. Paul's at Cross Stone. He would take a service in the morning at St. Mary's and then a service in the afternoon at St. Paul's. The following week he would reverse the order. The distance between the two churches is maybe only a couple of miles, but the journey in those days was hazardous. Cross Stone lies hundreds of feet up the hill side and St. Mary's is in the valley bottom. Between the two the ground was almost always flooded and very marshy, and the climb up to Cross Stone was steep. Joseph lived at Roomfield House, part way between the two, where he farmed a small estate of his own. He was often to be seen in the village, driving his stirks to graze in the churchyard or fetching spent grain for his cattle from the Royal George Inn with his wheelbarrow. He was curate for 45 years and was well-missed when he died at the age of 74.

a recent view of the interior

The new church, known as CHRIST CHURCH, was opened in 1832. Burials were still allowed in the old churchyard and for this reason a few pews were left behind, the rest being taken over to Christ Church.

Despite the new church, local folk loyal to St. Mary's continued to agitate for its re-opening. In 1845 Walsden had been made a Peel Parish and had been granted its own church, dedicated to ST. PETER. With this, the old church of St. Mary lost half its potential congregation. Nevertheless, the agitators succeeded in enlisting the support of the Archdeacon and the Bishop of Manchester, who promised money for the renovation of St. Mary's and the stipend of a minister.

Very little happened to the old Church for several years. There were the occasional funerals, conducted by Rev. Cowell or his curate. The windows in the bottom part were taken out and flagstones put in to the openings. Little was done to keep the place clean, and the dust was only disturbed when a funeral took place. Charles Greenlees of Church Street held the keys and had the job of winding up the clock in the tower. Men were sent every year or so to paint up the windows and doors white and to weed and trim the graveyard. It was a sad sight for the supporters of the old church. Even the Rev. Cowell had to admit that building a new church rather than re-building the old one was the biggest mistake of his life. Feelings ran high for many years and there was almost civil war amongst the opposing factions. The friends of the old Church began raising subscriptions from the townsfolk towards a restoration fund and secured promises of up to £200 towards the estimated cost of £700.

The Old Church Committee consisted of:

Samuel Crossley of Patmos

John Sutcliffe of West End

John Heyworth of Dalton St.

Amos Scholfield of York Place

John Travis of Ridge Street

Thomas Fielden of Dobroyd

James Heap of Church Street

John Travis, member of the committee, wrote at the time, 1858:

"Instead of being the chief ornament of our town, it has a most wretched appearance; and that if anything here deserves the sympathy of the public, it is this fabric where the ashes of most of our forefathers repose in silence and neglect; and we sincerely hope that this appeal may not be made in vain, but that a suitable response will be made by rich and poor in her behalf, and that ere long we may not only have the same restored, but that she may again be placed in charge of those who will care for her and for the spiritual prosperity of her people, and that they may here within her walls once more the sound of a gospel message."

Steps were taken at this time to have two churchwardens for St. Mary's appointed. A meeting of ratepayers was called for 8th April 1858 at which John Sutcliffe, draper of Patmos and John Heyworth, joiner of Dalton Street, were appointed. There was no opposition from the incumbent and despite the incumbent of Rochdale, the Vicar in overall charge, being opposed, the Archdeacon agreed the appointments. The new wardens convened a meeting and it was agreed to levy a rate for the cleaning and repair of the old church and graveyard. Steps were taken to stop the misuse of church property - the graveyard railings were being used to dry clothes, pigs were prowling in the graveyard and the boys from the Endowed school used the graveyard for a playground.

The burial ground was closed by order of the Secretary of State effective from 12th. October 1857 apart from walled vaults. A movement to have the tower raised, a new bell, an illuminated clock, and the planting of shrubs in the yard was brought to the fore.

The following committee was constituted :

Josiah Lord, Dale Street

John Heap, Burnley Road

John Sutcliffe, Patmos

John Stansfield, Vale Cottage

Richard Stansfield, Salford;

Richard Ingham, Albert Terrace

Samuel Crossley, Patmos

James Astin, North Street

Abraham Lord, Bankfield House

It was decided that Messrs. A. and T. Stansfield should plant the churchyard. Mr. Horsfall's plans as amended by Mr. Wild, architect, Halifax, were eventually adopted in substance and Benjamin Scholfield's tender of £50 for the masons' work was accepted. The works were under the supervision of Josiah Lord of York Place. The alterations were completed by 1868. Meanwhile, the church had been opened as a Sunday school with a strong staff of helpers. On 14th. January 1865 the solemnisation of marriages was revived, and on 11th. August 1866 Todmorden was made a parish in its own right, completely segregated from Rochdale.

St. Mary's about 1868 by kind permission of Roger Birch

photo by kind permission of Tony Leah

On 24th February 1886 the church re-opened after being closed for 8 weeks to enable the contractor to complete the erection of a new chancel, the re-pewing of the nave, and other improvements that entirely changed the interior aspect of the church. The plans for the exterior shown on the right seem not to have been accepted, certainly as far as the tower is concerned.

photo by kind permission of Tony Leah

St. Mary's in 1889 by kind permission

of Roger Birch

The Bells

The first known bell was a single bell cast in 1603 by William Oldfield of Doncaster and York. On the original bell were the letters S.R.A.L., and A.D. 1603, along with this:

In jucunditate et soni sonambo Tibi Dme. (Doinine)

In dulcidine vocis cantabo Tuo nomine.

(With pleasantness of sound I will make a noise unto Thee, O Lord,

With sweetness of voice I will sing unto Thy name.)

When the renovations were ongoing in 1860, the bell was recast by George Mears of Whitechapel in London. The following inscription was added:

Cast AD. 1603. Re-cast, tower raised, new clock by public subscription, 1860.

The old bell had weighed over 5cwt. and the new one was even heavier at nearer 7cwt. The committee sold the old one for £32.6s.10d. and paid £59.13s.6d. for the new one. Christ Church eventually closed its doors in 1992, and St. Mary's once again became the main church.

The photographs above, below and left show the Todmorden Ringers meeting the bells on their arrival at the church. They are shown here with kind permission of Ian Swain.

http://home.clara.net/

woodhousefarm/bells/detail.htm

The Burial Ground

In 1930 a road widening scheme in Church Street meant that the present raised pavement was constructed over part of the graveyard, and in 1968 the gravestones were removed to allow for further widening of the road, and were re-laid around the churchyard. A survey showed there were 425 in all. Most of the stones date from the 18th and early 19th century, with a few from the 17th century. More recently the churchyard has been renovated, some stones have been lifted, cleaned, and used as decorative walling for a memorial patio. Stones have been laid to good effect round the Church Street boundary for passers-by to see. The ones within the old yard are mainly laid flat, and are deteriorating rapidly. Many are broken and some are propped up against a back wall. Many have disappeared forever. A selection is shown below:

This grave was near the wall at the west end of the church. It was destroyed many years ago

In memory of Alice wife of Thomas FIELDEN of Wellfield, Crumpsall

died Aug 29th 1856 aged 72 years

Also of the above named Thomas FIELDEN

who died December 7th 1869 in the 79th year of his age.

This grave was on the east side of the churchyard. It was a raised monument surrounded with iron rails. It was destroyed many years ago

Sacred to the Memory

Of Joshua the son of Joshua and Alice FIELDEN of Waterside near Todmorden who departed this life 2nd day of January 1820 aged 19 days.

Also of the aforesaid Joshua FIELDEN of Waterside who departed this life on the 24th day of November 1847 in the 70th year of his age

Also of John their son who died at Greenbank, Caton,

on 1st September 1852 aged 32 years

Of Alice the wife of Joshua FIELDEN of Waterside near Todmorden who departed this life the 20th day of March 1831 aged 37 years

Also Maria his wife

who departed this life the 9th day of September 1840 aged 45 years.

On a different stone but within the same rails:

In memory of James FIELDEN of Dobroyd near Todmorden

who departed this life on May 9th 1852 aged 64 years

Also of Grace his wife who departed this life January 1861 aged 65 years

This grave was at the east end of the churchyard on a raised tombstone with iron rails round it. It was destroyed many years ago.

In memory of Henry LACY of Stoadley

who departed this life Jan 8th 1842 aged 82 years

Yes, the Christian course is run,

Ended is the glorious strife,

Fought the fight, the work is done,

Death is swallowed up in life.

Also of Walter David the son of David and Phoebe LACY

who departed this life December 17th 1848 aged 3 years and 8 months

Also of Sarah FIELDEN daughter of Thomas FIELDEN and Mary KAY of Montreal obt. Jan 25th 1851 aged 12 years.

In remembrance of Henry the son of Henry and Betty LACY of Stoodley

who departed this life March 27th 1811 aged 2 weeks and 6 days

Also of the said Betty LACY

who departed this life Sep 18th 1836 in the 61st year of her age.

Also of Martha the wife of David LACY of Knowlwood Mill

son of the above Henry LACY and Betty LACY

who departed this life January 7th 1843 aged 30 years

Also of the above named David LACY

who died at Stoodley Hall Dec. 31st 1866 aged 58 years

Also of Fielden Robertshall LACY son of Daniel and Martha LACY

who died Dec 28th 1868 aged 32 years.

In Memory of Reuben HAIGH of Pexhouse

who died 28th June 1857 aged 69 yrs

Also Grace his wife

who died 28th December 1827 aged 40 yrs

Also Betty his second wife

who died 1st October 1849 aged 47 yrs.

Underneath this stone lieth the body of

Reuben HAIGH of Dean

who departed this life 11th March 1806 aged 55yrs.

Also Mary his wife who died 3rd July 1831 aged 81yrs.

Also Susan daughter of Reuben HAIGH

who died 25th April 1797 aged 3yrs.

Also Ruth their daughter

who died 22nd July 1797 aged 13yrs

Also John their son

who departed this life 25th March 1801 aged 26yrs,

Also Sarah Alice their daughter

who died 12th March 1803 aged 9yrs.

Also Sarah wife of Joseph HAIGH

who died 1st July 1804 aged 22yrs.

Also the aforesaid Joseph HAIGH late of Inchfield Fold

who died 2nd March 1855 aged 76yrs.

John LAW

Bridge Master for Salford Hundred

died at Heywood 24 May 1781 in his 50th year.

Also Robert his son died 22 Nov 1806 in his 40th year.

Sacred to the memory of David STANSFIELD of Clough Foot

who departed this life August 21st 1851 aged 72 years.

Great is the loss but greater is his eternal rest.

In memory of Hollinrake, son of Samuel and Mary LORD of Hanging Ditch

who died Sept. 7th 1844 aged 11 months.

Also of Tom their son who died Feby 2nd . 1845 aged 7 months.

Also of John their son who died May 16th 1849 aged 18 years.

Also of the said Samuel LORD who died Oct. 21st 1849 aged 47 years.

Here resteth the body of Sarah the wife of John BENTLEY of Todmorden

who died on the 27th of November 1825 aged 21 years.

Also John their son who died August 16th 1828 aged 5 years.

In memory of John the son of Joseph and Ann RATCLIFFE of Clinton

who departed this life February 23rd 1857 aged 37 years.

Also of Esther their daughter who died March 14th 1857 aged 33 years

Here lies the body of John son of Samual LAW of Toad Carr

who died December 17th 1775 aged 3 years.

Also the body of Samual LAW of Square in Walsden

who was interred on 11th June 1824 aged 79 years

Also of Sarah his wife who was interred on 9th October 1836 aged 90 years

Also of Abraham LAW who died at Birks Cottage June 10th 1850 aged 54

Martha wife of John WOODHEAD died Jan 14th 1730

Also John WOODHEAD died may 18th 1757 aged 80 years

Hannah Daughter of William and Mary SCHOLFIELD of Todmorden died October 1809 aged 5.
Also Cyrill their son died November 5th . 1815 aged 15 days.
Also Thomas their son died January 21 1819 aged 2.
Also Ann their daughter died October 22 1821 aged 9.
Also William their son died October 17th . 1838 aged 28.
Also above named William SCHOLFIELD died May 4th . 1848 aged 67.
Also Mary his wife died October 14th . 1849 in her 70th . Year.
Also James their son died January 7th . 1851 in his 48th . Year.

Mary Ann and Mary, daughters of Abraham and Ann SCHOLFIELD of this town
who died in their infancy.
Also the body of Ann their mother who died April 6th . 1829.

Ann wife of John SCHOLFIELD of Knowlwood who died 8th . August 1800 aged 73.
Also above John who died August 7th . 1812 aged 86.

Mally wife of James SCHOLFIELD of Todmorden died 19th March 1804 aged 58.
Also James their son who died at Bottomley November 18th . 1811 aged 37.
Also above named James , land surveyor of Todmorden, died April 21st . 1833 aged 75.

Cyrill SCHOLFIELD of Steanerbottom died 9 April 1735.
Also Ann SAGER died June 1831 aged 80.
AlsoJohn her husband died February 1837 aged 85.

Mary daughter of John and Betty SCHOLFIELD of Calf Lee died October 21st . 1814 aged 3.
AlsoBetty wife of John SCHOLFIELD of Calf Lee in Walsden

who died November 14th . 1851 aged 62.
Also Sarah their daughter died October 14th . 1852 aged 39.

James LORD of Toad Carr in Ightenhill Park died June 17th . 1773 aged 70.
Also Elizabeth his daughter and wife of Abraham SCHOLFIELD of Scout Top
died February 22nd . 1803 aged 70.

Sacred to the memory of Sarah, the daughter of Martin and Mary HOLT of Todmorden Edge

who died November 23 1822 aged 7 mth.

Also of Peter their son who died November 19th 1829 aged 4 years.

Also Fielden their son who died December 3 1851 aged 37 years.

Parish Registers

Lancashire Parish Register Society have fiche sets for sale of the registers from 1666 to 1780 and have published a book of the transcriptions from 1781 to 1812.

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/lprs/

The West Yorkshire Archives have filmed the following, which can be purchased as fiche:

Baptisms 1678 to 1986

Marriages 1669 to 1837

Burials 1666 to 1969

Marriage banns 1821 to 1874 and 1923 to 1940

http://www.archives.wyjs.org.uk/index.htm

The memorial inscriptions have been filmed on to microfiche and can be purchased from the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society.

http://www.mlfhs.org

 

List of Curates of Todmorden

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