Square Independent Chapel and Congregational Church Spire, Halifax

Square Independent Chapel opened on the 24th May 1772 taking it's name from the area of Halifax it was built in. The chapel is constructed of red brick and is 60ft square and when opened was the largest independent place of worship in the country. The chapel cost a fortune for the time £2000 to build and the red brick is said to contain bulls blood to highlight the red. 

The chapel held it's last service on the 12th June 1857, when it became the Sunday School for the newly constructed Square Congregational Church, which had recently opened next door. In 1939 the Army took control of the building for the war effort and the Chapel was given Grade II listed status on the 3rd November 1954. The local Council purchased the building in 1969 with a plan to demolish it, the Victorian society getting the building on the listed for preservation register in 1970. In 1985 Calderdale Council once again had a plan to demolish the building, again this never came to fruition before the Square Chapel Building Trust bought the building for £25 in 1989 spending over £3million in the refurbishment of the building which was to become the Square Chapel Arts Centre in 1992.

Square Congregational Church opened on the 15th July 1857 as the replacement for Square Independent Chapel. When built the church had the second tallest spire in Yorkshire at 235ft until Edward Akroyd had the nearby All Souls Church built with a spire that was just 1ft taller. Local legend suggest this was deliberate as Akroyd had a rivalry with the Crossley Family who had contributed to the construction of Square Church. The church held services until 1970, a year after it had merged with the United Congregational Church. 

Square Congregational Church was granted Grade II listed status on the 2nd March 1950. The church became a target for vandals after closure and the main body of the church was devastated by a large fire on the 3rd January 1971, and a further fire and gale before 1973. In 1976 the church was demolished saving the spire and foundations and becoming a rest-garden area until it was closed off in 2005 after the spire had become unsafe. Around this time workmen who had checking the spire structurally became convinced there was a ghost inhabiting an inaccessible area near the top of the spire, this was after photo's they had taken showed a shape that they claimed could not be explained.

The spire remained closed off for a number of years with some members of Calderdale Council requesting its demolition, before the town decided a new library was needed and this was constructed including the spire as a and rose window as a central part of the new building which opened in 2017. The spire with the new library now forms a welcoming part of the new eastern entrance to the Piece Hall.

The Rose Window seen to the left of the spire is based on the east window at Selby Abbey.

The new Halifax Library Building can be seen built around the spire.

These pictures were taken on the 27th October 2019 with a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. They can be seen on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

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Experience the Magic of Venice: A New Video Journey!

Get ready to be transported to the enchanting canals and historic piazzas of Italy's most unique city! I'm thrilled to announce my latest YouTube upload: "A Trip to Venice."

This captivating video, approximately 2.5 minutes long, is a curated collection of scenes I captured during my few days exploring Venice at the end of October and beginning of November 2018. From the moment you hit play, you'll glide along the iconic Grand Canal on a mesmerizing boat trip, witnessing the city's grandeur from its watery arteries.

The video also takes you through the bustling and magnificent St. Mark's area, showcasing its architectural wonders and vibrant atmosphere. Beyond the famous landmarks, you'll discover various other short, intimate clips highlighting Venice's charming smaller canals, intricate bridges, and the timeless beauty of its ancient buildings.

Venice, with its enchanting canals and historic architecture, holds an undeniable allure. But in October-November 2018, during my visit, the city offered a stark, firsthand glimpse into its unique challenges. I arrived to find Venice battling what hotel staff informed me was its worst flooding since 1968. My 1-minute, 50-second video, "St Marks Square Flooding," captures various scenes filmed around the iconic square on random days and times during my stay, showcasing the pervasive nature of the acqua alta.

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Waist-High Waters and Resilient Spirits

The moment I stepped off the vaporetto, the reality of the situation hit me – literally. I had to wade through waist-high water across St. Mark's Square just to reach my hotel. It was an immediate and unforgettable introduction to Venice's watery embrace. Every single day of my trip, the area was flooded to some degree, a constant reminder of the city's delicate balance with the sea.

What struck me most, beyond the sheer volume of water, was the incredible resilience of the Venetian people. They didn't lament or complain; they simply accepted the flooding as part of their everyday life. I saw locals navigating the submerged streets with a calm pragmatism, adapting their routines to the ever-present water. Their spirit was truly fantastic, a testament to generations of living in harmony with – and at the mercy of – the tides.

A Lingering Concern for Venice's Future

Recent news reports have sadly indicated that Venice has experienced even worse flooding since my 2018 visit. My heart goes out to the residents, and I feel desperately sad for the continuous challenges they face. It highlights the urgent need for long-promised flood defences, such as the MOSE project, to finally be completed and become fully effective. One can only hope that these crucial measures will soon provide the protection Venice so desperately needs, allowing its beauty and unique way of life to thrive for generations to come.

My video serves as a small, personal document of a truly impactful experience, a visual diary of a city learning to live with its extraordinary watery landscape.

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A Spire of History: The Haunting Beauty of Halifax's Square Church

Halifax, a town steeped in industrial history, holds a silent sentinel against its skyline: the Square Church Spire. A lone finger pointing towards the heavens, it's a striking reminder of a grander structure, a story etched in stone and fire.

Imagine, if you will, the bustling Square in 1857. Amidst the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and the rhythmic hum of nearby mills, a new beacon of faith rose. The Square Congregational Church, opened on July 15th, a testament to Victorian ambition and religious fervor. This magnificent edifice stood proudly beside the iconic Piece Hall, a symbol of Halifax's prosperity. It replaced the older Georgian Square Chapel, which, in a charming twist of fate, became the church's Sunday school, a passing of the torch from one generation to the next.

For over a century, the Square Church echoed with hymns, sermons, and the quiet prayers of its congregation. It was a place of community, of solace, and of spiritual guidance. But time, as it inevitably does, brought change. The church's doors closed in 1970, marking the end of an era.

Then, tragedy struck. In January 1971, a devastating fire ripped through the main building, leaving behind a charred skeleton. The once proud structure was reduced to rubble, and in 1976, the final act of demolition was carried out. All that remained was the magnificent, Grade II listed spire, soaring 235 feet into the sky.

This solitary spire, a relic of a lost grandeur, now stands as a poignant reminder of what once was. It's a striking juxtaposition against the modern architecture of the Halifax Central Library, into which it is now incorporated. Standing at its base, you can almost hear the echoes of the past, the faint strains of an organ, the murmur of prayers.

The Square Church Spire is more than just a historical landmark; it's a symbol of resilience, a testament to the enduring power of memory. It's a place where the past and present collide, where the echoes of a bygone era mingle with the everyday sounds of a bustling town.

Next time you find yourself in Halifax, take a moment to gaze upon this architectural marvel. Let its silent story resonate with you, and remember the grand church that once stood beside it, a testament to the enduring spirit of Halifax. It's a reminder that even in the face of destruction, something beautiful and enduring can remain, reaching towards the sky like a whispered prayer.

The pictures below were taken on the 27th May 2018 with a Nikon d3300, clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.