Dewsbury Minster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dewsbury Minster |
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| All Saints' Church | |
Dewsbury Minster from the front
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| 53°41′23″N 1°37′45″W / 53.6896°N 1.6291°W | |
| OS grid reference | SE 24590 21524 |
| Location | Dewsbury, Kirklees |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | DewsburyMinster.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Parish church |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II* |
| Designated | 30 June 1949 |
| Style | Gothic revival |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Dewsbury |
| Deanery | Dewsbury |
| Archdeaconry | Pontefract |
| Episcopal area | Wakefield |
| Diocese | Leeds |
| Province | York |
Dewsbury Minster, also known as the Minster Church of All Saints, is a very old and important church. It is located in Dewsbury, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England. The church has been around since the 1200s. It was largely rebuilt in 1895.
You can find it on Vicarage Road and Church Street, right in the middle of town. In 1949, it was given a special "Grade II* listed" status. This means it is a very important historical building. In 1994, Dewsbury Parish Church was given the special title "minster". It is one of only three churches in West Yorkshire with this honor. The other two are Halifax Minster and Leeds Minster.
Contents
History of Dewsbury Minster
Early Beginnings and Changes
The oldest parts of the church date back a long time. The north side, with its rows of arches, was built around 1220. The south side's arches were added later in the same century. The main part of the church, called the nave, had its ceiling built in the 1400s.
Around 1767, the church's tower and north aisle were built. These parts were designed by an architect named John Carr.
Famous Connections and Updates
A well-known person, Patrick Brontë, worked as an assistant priest at Dewsbury Minster. He was there from 1809 to 1811. He was the father of the famous Brontë sisters, who wrote many classic novels.
In 1850, the church's ceiling was made higher. This created more space for a new organ loft. Between 1884 and 1888, the church was made even bigger. This work was designed by A. E. Street and A. H. Kirk. During this time, a new east window and new seating were added. In 1895, the south aisle was taken down and rebuilt. It was designed in a style that looked back to old Gothic churches.
Art and Modern Times
In 1912, a beautiful new wooden screen was added behind the altar. This screen shows pictures of Jesus Christ and his twelve closest followers.
More recently, in 2013, the church received money from Kirklees Borough Council. This money helped to install lights on the outside of the church. These lights make the church glow at night.
Ancient Roots and a Special Bell
Dewsbury Minster is located near the River Calder. People believe that a very early Christian preacher named Paulinus once preached here. Some of the stone you can see in the main part of the church is from Saxon times. Other parts of the church are from the 1200s.
The church tower holds a famous bell called "Black Tom." This bell is rung every Christmas Eve. It tolls once for each year since Christ's birth. This tradition is known as the "Devil's Knell." It has been happening since the 1400s. The bell was given to the church by Sir Thomas de Soothill. He gave it as a way to say sorry for accidentally killing a servant boy. This special tradition was even shown on a Royal Mail postage stamp in 1986.
Gallery
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South side of the church
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Interior
See also
- Listed buildings in Dewsbury
- Grade II* listed buildings in Kirklees
- Diocese of Leeds
