Northowram United Reformed Church is a Grade II listed building in the Calderdale local planning authority area, England. First listed on 29 April 1982. Church. 1 related planning application.

Northowram United Reformed Church

WRENN ID
broken-spandrel-elder
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
Calderdale
Constituency
Halifax MP: Kate Dearden (Lab)
Country
England
Date first listed
29 April 1982
Type
Church
Address
Northowram United Reformed Church, Towngate, HX3 7DN
OS grid reference
SE 111 267
Coordinates
53.73683, -1.83298
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: sale history · EPC · related consents · flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

Northowram United Reformed Church dates back to an early foundation, evidenced by a reset datestone of 1688 from the former residence of the influential preacher Olivea Heywood, which served as the original chapel during 1672-88. The present chapel building was constructed in 1836-37. It is a two-storey structure with a lower ground floor, built of sandstone imitating brickwork. The front facade is simply pediment-gabled, with shaped kneelers. A central, shallow arched recess rises into the gable, framing the doorway which has a simple keystoned arch. The windows have plain ashlar lintels and are marginally glazed.

The interior is galleried, featuring clasped shaft iron columns that support a panelled gallery running around the perimeter, including an organ loft. Original box pews are still present. The organ, dating from circa 1837, is housed within a tripartite case decorated with a pediment and anthemion; the side screens are from the 1880s. The pulpit incorporates portions of linen fold panelling, historically associated with Olivea Heywood and moved from the old chapel. The church enjoys a prominent location, accompanied by a well-maintained burial ground containing 18th and early 19th century tombstones.

Local climate

Northowram United Reformed Church sits in a wetter-than-average part of the UK, with an average of 980 mm of rain a year. This makes it wetter than 78% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is greater than that of 71% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 46 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 87% of listed buildings. Of these, 26 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

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  • Full EPC report — heating system, energy costs, size, glazing, construction etc.
  • Sale history — 5 transactions since 1995
  • Related listed building consents — 1 application
  • Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
  • Flood risk assessment
  • Radon risk assessment
  • Weather exposure and heating demand — rain and frost month by month and year by year, wind direction, solar and humidity
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