Perched on a quiet hillside near Todmorden, West Yorkshire, Lumbutts Methodist Church is a place that feels deeply connected to its past. This charming stone building, with its gothic details and solemn air, stands as a testament to the community it once served and the history it continues to hold. The story of the church begins with a schism in the local Methodist society. In the 1830s, a serious disagreement, sparked by the controversial installation of an organ in a chapel in Leeds, caused a split. The dissenters, who were opposed to the use of organs in worship, withdrew from the nearby Methodist Society at Mankinholes. They decided to build their own place of worship, a new chapel at Lumbutts, which officially opened on July 9, 1837.
However, the current building is not the original. As the congregation prospered, the first chapel was demolished in 1877 and replaced with the larger, present-day structure, which included a school on the ground floor. This new building, designed by J. Horsfall of Todmorden, was constructed in the Gothic style with a hammer-dressed stone and ashlar dressings, giving it a distinctive and enduring look.
The Old Lady of Lumbutts
Perhaps one of the most interesting pieces of the church's history is its organ, affectionately known as "The Old Lady of Lumbutts." This huge, century-old organ became a focal point for the community. In 1989, villagers rallied together, raising £11,500 to fund its renovation, ensuring that its powerful sound would continue to fill the chapel.
Despite these efforts, the church eventually fell victim to changing times and a dwindling congregation. It was closed in the late 2010s, and its future remains uncertain. However, there has been a recent proposal by the local Scout group, who have been using the grounds for activities, to take over the building. Their plan is to refurbish the Grade II listed building and bring it back to life as a community resource.
Walking through the churchyard, with its well-maintained burial plots, one can't help but feel a sense of peace. The gate to the church, with its intricate ironwork, opens to a space that feels both historic and hopeful. Lumbutts Methodist Church stands as a beautiful reminder of the powerful communities that built these chapels and the potential they still hold for the future.
I took these pictures with a Nikon d3300 on New Years Eve 2016. Clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.
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