Birchcliffe Centre

SD 9927 5/33 6.9.74

HEBDEN ROYD C.P. BIRCHCLIFFE ROAD, Hebden Bridge

Birchcliffe Centre (Formerly listed as Birchcliffe Baptist Church) )

G.V. II

Former Baptist chapel now Conference centre 1898. Ashlar, marble columns, slate roof. Palladian. Impressive 2-storey front has single storey porch connected to flanking pavilion blocks with the main chapel set between. Porch in the form of projecting 4-bay Doric arcaded screen supporting dentilled cornice and balustrade. Central chapel has 3-bay front divided by fluted Ionic pilasters with windows with lugged architraves set between, the central of which has segmental pediment. Doric outer pilasters to corners. Dentilled entablature with triangular pediment the tympanum of which has 2-light window under ornamental head. To either side, pedimented pavilion blocks contain staircases and have parapets crowned by urns. Front is approached up flight of steps with stone balustrade. 7-bay return is pitch faced stone to wide single storey aisles with 2-light windows with plain stone surround. Interior of chapel has inserted floor at gallery level. The ground floor forms offices, the upper floor a conference hall which retains the galleried pews. Arcade of 4 semi-circular arches carried on Roman Doric columns of red marble. Circular clerestorey windows. Chancel arch has moulded plaster panels. The decorative scheme is retained including 4-light window with lunette which has stained glass panel of baptism of Christ. Illustrated in, C. Spencer, Hebden Bridge History Trail, (Hebden Bridge, no date), p.22.

Listing NGR: SD9952127455