Christchurch, Ilkley
Christchurch, Ilkley
Christchurch is a Grade II United Reformed church on The Grove, Ilkley, West Yorkshire. Historic England records a building of 1868 by J. P. Pritchett, generally Early English in style, with a tower and spire that remain a landmark of the town.
- Location
- Ilkley, Yorkshire
- Country
- England
- County
- Yorkshire
- City / town
- Ilkley
- Address
- The Grove, Ilkley, Yorkshire, LS29 9LW
- Postcode
- LS29 9LW
- Built
- 1868–69
- Architect
- J P Pritchett
- Denomination
- United Reformed Church
- Grade
- II
- Style
- Early English Gothic
- Materials
- Coursed squared rubble and slate roofs
- Grid reference
- SE 116 475
- Opening hours
- Open daily 10am to 3.30pm and otherwise by arrangement.
- Access
- Level access to the main areas. Accessible toilets nearby
Overview
The listing describes coursed, squared rubble and slate roofs: a nave and aisles aligned with the street frontage, the ritual west end fronting Riddings Road. Each end has a five-light Decorated window. The aisles are formed of four crested gables with two-light windows, the westernmost larger than the others. A tower and spire rise over a projecting porch at the north-east corner, with an octagonal projection at the south-east. The spire is an important feature of Ilkley, conspicuous from many points.
The church was built as a Congregational church. Wikipedia records the foundation stone in 1868 and opening for worship on 16 June 1869, before the 130 ft spire was finished, to designs by James Pigott Pritchett junior of Darlington. It became part of the United Reformed Church in 1972 and later formed an ecumenical partnership with Ilkley Methodist Church. The building now includes a worship area, cafe and community spaces.