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Ruins of the Church of St Thomas a’ Becket

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Information on Ruins of the Church of St Thomas a’ Becket

Attraction type:
Interests
  • Culture & Heritage
  • Family
  • Historic Sites & Trails
  • The Calderdale Way

Uniquely, Heptonstall has two churches within one graveyard. At the centre of the village are the ruins of the Church of St Thomas a’ Becket built between 1256 and 1260. Later adaptations gave the Church two naves, two aisles and two chantry chapels as well as a tower.

Following a great storm in 1847 the west face of the tower fell away. Some measure of repair took place and the church remained in use up to 1854 when the present church, St Thomas the Apostle, was completed at a cost of £7,000.

The ruins of St Thomas a’ Becket are carefully maintained and are open to the public. Open air services are occasionally conducted there.