St Mary's in the Wood Church, Morley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St Mary’s in the Wood Church
St Mary’s in the Wood Church, Morley
The former St Mary's in the Wood Church after fire damage
53°44′52″N 1°36′06″W / 53.747833°N 1.601534°W / 53.747833; -1.601534
OS grid reference	SE263280
Location	Morley, West Yorkshire
Country	England
Denomination	United Reform Church
Website	https://stmarysinthewoodmorleyurc.org.uk/
Architecture
Functional status	Derelict
Style	Gothic revival

The church and spire seen from Commercial Street.

Current meeting place of the congregation on Commercial Street

Church and graveyard prior to fire

St Mary's in the Wood Church is a former church building in Morley, England. It was once a place of worship for the United Reform Church. The church was built between 1876 and 1878.

It stands on the same spot where a much older medieval church used to be. The building is located on Troy Road and Commercial Street, just north of the town center.

The church stopped being used regularly in the late 1900s. It then sat empty and unused for many years. In 2010, a big fire badly damaged the church. Now, only the tall spire and some burnt parts of the building remain.

Even though the old church is damaged, the church community is still active. They now meet in a new place of worship. This new chapel is on Commercial Street, a bit further south from the old church building.

History of St Mary's Church

The original St Mary's in the Wood Church was built a long time ago. It was a medieval church, meaning it was built in the Middle Ages. Over time, this older church was replaced.

The current building was constructed in the late 1800s. It was designed in the Gothic revival style. This style brings back the look of medieval churches.

The 2010 Fire Incident

For many years, the church building was empty. It was not being used for services or other activities. This made the building unsafe and uncared for.

In 2010, a large fire broke out at the church. The fire caused a lot of damage to the building. Most of the church was destroyed.

Only the tall spire and some parts of the walls were left standing. The fire left the church as a ruined landmark in Morley.

Current Status of the Congregation

Despite the fire, the St Mary's in the Wood Church community continues to thrive. They found a new home to gather and worship. Their new meeting place is a chapel on Commercial Street.

This shows the strength of the community. They kept their faith and traditions alive. They continue to meet and support each other.

Gallery

See also

• Listed buildings in Morley, West Yorkshire