Halifax Parish Church becomes Minster after 900 years

Halifax Parish Church has a history going back 900 years

Celebrations are being held in Halifax to mark the elevation of the town's historic Parish Church to Minster status.

For over 900 years the Parish Church has been a centre of worship and a gathering place for people in Halifax.

The Reverend Hilary Barber, Vicar of Halifax, says he is delighted with the news - but also sees it as a challenge.

He says: "It is so special because it is both a reflection of the past and is also something about the future.

"Minsters were usually founded by monks hundreds of years ago and, in fact, this church was built by Cluniac monks. But more than looking backwards, it's looking forwards. It's about giving the church new and fresh vision and energy."

Beacon of hope

These are difficult times for Halifax, with a question mark over the identity of the town following the recent banking crisis which saw the Lloyds takeover of Halifax Bank of Scotland. With that in mind, Hilary Barber says he hopes the elevation of the Parish Church to a Minster will see it continue to be a beacon of hope.

Halifax Parish Church becomes Halifax Minster in November 2009

He says: "After all, we're in the shadow of Beacon Hill! The Parish Church is very much a light within the community and what I want to stress is that the Minster takes on a role that isn't just for the Christian community but for people of all faith communities - and none. That's very important."

The origins of the Parish Church go as far back as the Middle Ages when the Halifax parish was one of the largest in medieval England - over 124 square miles.

John Hargreaves, chairman of Halifax Civic Trust, says with its history and its active role in the community for so many centuries, it is entirely appropriate that the Parish Church is accorded Minster status.

He explains: "This is a re-definition of Halifax Parish Church's role for the 21st century - recognising that it is a significant ecclesiastical foundation.

"The Church does have this link with the whole history of Christianity within a large geographical area."

Despite centuries of worship and history behind it, the Vicar of Halifax says this important moment in the Parish Church's history is certainly no time for anyone to rest on their laurels.

Hilary Barber says: "It is already very much the 'mother' church for the whole area - the gathering space for unique occasions, most of which are times of celebration and, occasionally, sad times.

"What we're trying to do, perhaps, is elevate that in a new way to God and in a way that God has blessed West Yorkshire for the past 900 years that he will continue to do so."

Wonderful heritage

The Reverend Hilary Barber is "delighted" about the change

Halifax Minster will join what's called the Greater Churches Group of the Church of England which links minsters and abbeys across the nation. Hilary Barber says that is very welcome.

He explains: "We think of York being associated with its Minster, Beverley with its Minster.

"We want to do the same for Halifax so that Halifax becomes synonymous with Halifax Minster alongside the Eureka! Children's Museum, the Piece Hall and all the other wonderful pieces of heritage this borough has to offer."

And John Hargreaves from Halifax Civic Trust says the Church has a lot to offer, even to those just wanting to find out a bit more about the town's past.

He says: "It's a treasure house that has so many visual clues to the town's history. For instance, in the porch there's a tombstone that has on it a pair of cropper's shears. That's the earliest reference we have to the textile industry in the parish of Halifax."

John says the Parish Church also contains a few surprises: "You have shades of theology from the whole Christian spectrum. In the Rokeby Chapel you've got the heart and bowels of the man who baptised Bloody Mary in the 16th century and who was Archbishop of Dublin.

"You've also got, in the Holdsworth Chapel, a tablet commemorating the burial of the remains of Oliver Heywood, the leading figure of non-conformity in the Halifax area in the 17th century."

"Symbolic acts"

A special ceremony is being held in Halifax on Sunday 22 November to mark this important development. Two processions will head to the Piece Hall separately before joining up to walk together to the Minster.

John Hargreaves from Halifax Civic Trust welcomes the development

Involving clergy such as the Bishop of Wakefield and civic representatives such as the High Sheriff, councillors and the leader of Calderdale Council, Hilary Barber says he hopes the ceremony will bring people together: "There will be some very symbolic acts symbolising the church and the borough coming together in a refreshed, new way.

"I imagine the building will be very full and there will be a huge feeling of pride - having arrived at this stage in the journey of the people of Halifax.

"Perhaps there will also be a small amount of trepidation about having raised our game, about making sure we reach those expectations and looking forward to renewing our ministry here."

And John Hargreaves agrees renewal is the key to Halifax Minster's future: "I visited Dewsbury Minster and there's a whole new sense of purpose there in terms of outreach into the local community and I think that can happen here too.

"I think it will strengthen this faith community's determination to minister in new ways to the people of Halifax in the 21st century."