Halifax Building Society Bolton

Organs in Calderdale

There are many interesting organs in the Calderdale area, including one or two very famous and important ones. This part of our website describes some particularly interesting organs, including (sadly) several which have now disappeared.

All Souls’, Haley Hill

Built in 1868 by Forster and Andrews to a specification by Edmund Schultze. The organ was rebuilt in 1906 by Norman and Beard, and restored in 1969 by Walker. Unfortunately, the church was forced to close within a decade when pieces of masonry began to fall from the spire. The organ subsequently suffered some vandalism; much of the surviving pipework is now in storage.

Bolton Brow Methodist

The beginnings of Bolton Brow Church go back to the late 18th century. The chief founder was one John Walker, a Methodist Manufacturer from Dewsbury, who came to reside at Sterne Mills, where he opened his house as the first place of worship. When the canal was being cut from Sowerby Bridge to Salterhebble the Mearclough Estate was broken up, and Walker purchased Mearclough Bottom where he resided until his death in 1816. At that time the preaching place was transferred to a nearby hayloft. In 1796 the society had 20 members and adherents. It is said that the present Walker Lane is named after John Walker, because of the number of times he walked along it to see the progress on a new chapel being built in 1806 at its junction with Bolton Brow. These were the first purpose built premises of the society. However they were rather small, so in 1832 a new building was erected further down Bolton Brow. This is the building which is still standing today, although it has now been converted for residential use. Opened in June 1832, the new chapel was initially shorter than it is now, but the frontage is still in its original state.