Why a 125th Anniversary?

Why a 125th Anniversary?

"Utterly unfit for divine worship" was how the Bishop of Ripon described the church of St. Andrew, Stainland after the service of consecration in 1840. A new church was planned but it wasn't to be and so in 1887/8 the church was restored and extended with only the north and south walls and the tower remaining of the original building.

In May 1888, 125 years ago, the new Diocese of Wakefield was formed. In July the first Bishop of Wakefield, William Walsham How consecrated the newly rebuilt church of St. Andrew, Stainland. We believe this makes our church the first church to be consecrated by the first Bishop of Wakefield in the new Diocese of Wakefield.

We have a very special place in in the story of the Diocese of Wakefield and are please to be able to join with them in celebrating this 125th anniversary.