Ukrainian Autocephalic Orthodox Church

Ukrainian Autocephalic Orthodox Church

This building was originally constructed as Eccleshill Methodist Chapel between 1854 and 1855, designed by James Simpson of Leeds in the Italianate style. It is now the Ukrainian Autocephalic Orthodox Church, Parish of St. Mary Protectress, Bradford.

The building is constructed of coursed dressed sandstone with sandstone ashlar dressings and has slate roof coverings. It is rectangular in plan with two storeys and a basement to the south. The chapel is aligned east to west, though in Orthodox liturgical use the chancel occupies the west end and the entrance is at the east end.

The main east elevation consists of three bays. At ground level, the central projecting entrance porch has Tuscan piers with a deep entablature and blocking course. The doorway features an archivolt arch with keystone and block imposts above a fanlight. To either side of the porch at ground-floor level are two vertical square-headed windows with ashlar lintels and projecting sills. At first-floor level is a prominent triple group of round-headed windows with smaller outer lights and linked ashlar archivolt arches supported on two central piers, flanked by two further round-headed windows with ashlar chamfered voussoir arches. All windows have coloured glass borders.

The plinth, ashlar sill course and impost course continue across the elevation, with broad quoin pilasters supporting a moulded bracketed cornice and parapet that abuts each side of the pediment. The pediment itself displays relief carving reading "1854 / WESLEYAN / METHODIST". A Ukrainian three-barred cross is mounted on top of the porch. A marble plaque to the right of the elevation bears an inscription in Ukrainian and English commemorating the seven million victims of the artificial famine in Ukraine created by Moscow's Communist regime in 1932–1933, placed by Ukrainians in Bradford.

The north side (facing Stony Lane) comprises six bays of coursed dressed sandstone with plinth, ashlar sill course, impost course and bracketed eaves cornice. Each of the first five bays contains a vertical square-headed window with ashlar lintel and projecting sill at ground-floor level, while the sixth bay has a square-headed doorway with overlight and ashlar lintel, now fitted with an iron security gate. At first-floor level, each bay has a round-headed window with ashlar chamfered voussoir arches. A fixed timber sign in Ukrainian and English reading "UKRAINIAN AUTOCEPHALIC / ORTHODOX CHURCH / PARISH OF / ST. MARY PROTECTRESS / BRADFORD" is mounted to the left of this elevation.

The south side is plainer in style and comprises six bays of coursed dressed stonework with plinth, string course, sill course and bracketed eaves cornice. Quoin pilasters support a moulded bracketed cornice and parapet. Each bay at ground-floor level has a vertical square-headed window with ashlar lintel and projecting sill, while each bay at first-floor level has a round-headed window with voussoir arches. All windows have coloured glass borders. In the first bay is a semi-subterranean window at basement level, fitted with an iron security gate and surrounded by iron railings.

The west end consists of three bays of coursed dressed sandstone with plinth, ashlar sill course and string course at cornice level. The pediment has a parapet to each side. At ground-floor level are a central square-headed doorway with ashlar lintel flanked by two windows with ashlar lintels (all now blocked), and a further square-headed doorway with ashlar lintel to the left (now blocked). At first-floor level are three round-headed windows with voussoir arches (now blocked).

Interior

The entrance porch leads into a narrow entrance lobby containing two staircases to the gallery, each with quarter landings. The lower parts of the staircases feature closed strings with timber handrails, turned balusters and newel posts. At the top are six-panel doors into the gallery. A black marble plaque with gilt lettering mounted on the entrance lobby wall bears an inscription in Ukrainian and English commemorating the Millennium of the Baptism of Ukraine (988–1988) by St. Volodymyr, Grand Prince of Kiev-Rus-Ukraine, and identifying the contributors as members of the Ukrainian Autocephalic Orthodox Church in Bradford.

Two three-panel double doors lead from the lobby into the main body of the church, above which are two vertical square-headed windows with coloured glass borders. At first-floor level a moulded ceiling cornice and linked architraves surround the upper sections of the round-headed windows. A complete-oval gallery with moulded panelled front on cast iron Tuscan columns runs around the interior, divided at the west end by a timber iconostasis. Panelled box pews at ground-floor level (central section removed) and in the gallery retain much of their original fittings. The central Royal doors within the iconostasis provide access to the sanctuary. To the left-hand side a moulded pedimented doorway opens into the vestry, which has dado panelling, fitted benches and coat hooks.

The church contains significant wall paintings, including a large painting at the west end depicting the Resurrection of Jesus holding a white flag with a red cross.