St Peter's Church Huddersfield

St Peter's Parish Church, Huddersfield

Huddersfield's Parish Church

The imposing Anglican St Peter's Church aka Huddersfield Parish Church stands in Kirkgate close to Huddersfield Station. The architect for both buildings was James Pigott Pritchett. It a prominent landmark in the town with its clock tower rising to 120 feet.

A view of the interior looking towards the altar. — A view of the interior looking towards the altar

Lattice work on the ceiling. — Fine wooden lattice work in the ceiling

History

The present St Peter's dates from 1836 but there has been a church on the Kirkgate site since the 11th century and Norman times. Legend has it that the Norman knight Walter de Lacy was thrown from his horse into a swamp en route from Huddersfield to Halifax. He vowed to build a church in Huddersfield if he survived his ordeal.

Once rebuilt in the 16th century, the present church dates from the 19th century. The architect James Pigott Pritchett (1789-1868) used bricks from the earlier building in the construction to lower costs. However, as a result the church has required regular maintenance work since its consecration.

Further work and additions to the church continued in the 19th century. The latest overall was in 2012, helped by a grant from English Heritage.

Fine woodwook in the upper gallery. — The fine woodwook in the upper gallery dates possibly from the 16th century church

Stained glass windows. — There are several impressive stained glass windows in the church

Architecture

The church is known for its impressive Gothic Revival architecture, a style popular during the 19th century. The design features pointed arches, decorative tracery, and ornate stonework, typical of this architectural style.

Of historical note are the Elizabethan stone font from 1570 and the carved panelling of the gallery.

There is also a fine pipe organ dating from 1908 (rebuilt in the 1980s) and the church hosts a variety of musical events and performances. The choir has strong links to the music department at the nearby University of Huddersfield.

The Keys Restaurant & Coffee House is leased from the church and housed in the crypt.

The ornate interior of the church. — The ornate interior of the church

Access & Hours

Byram Street
Huddersfield HD1 1BU
Tel: 01484 427964
www: huddersfieldparishchurch.org

Hours

Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm, Saturday 8 am - 2 pm; Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) every Sunday at 8.30 am; Sung Eucharist at 10 am.

The parish church stages a range of events and services beyond regular worship, including weddings, baptisms, and funerals. It also hosts concerts, lectures, and other cultural events. In addition, St Peter's organizes various outreach programs and community activities.

Huddersfield Station, Huddersfield, UK. — Huddersfield Station is one of the finest in England

Getting to Huddersfield

From Huddersfield Station there are trains to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport in Manchester as well as Liverpool (via Manchester Victoria).

There are also services to Leeds, Hull, York Station in York, Scarborough, Stalybridge, Middlesbrough and Newcastle.

Other places of interest nearby include Huddersfield Open Market, Huddersfield Art Gallery and Huddersfield Town Hall.

Hotels in Huddersfield

Close to the station is the Stay Hotel. The more upmarket Cedar Court Hotel is a little out of town near the M62 motorway. The Plumbers Arms is a guest house with flat-screen TV and en suite bathrooms.

See here for a complete listing of hotel accommodation close to the station in Huddersfield.