History of St Nicholas

The vilagge is of Celtic origin and the name Cumberworth comes from the “Keltic Cumbra” who lived in the area around 200 to 100 BC. The village is mentioned in the doomsday book although the name is spelt “Cubreuuord”.

Industry in the area soon developed. Clay was discovered and quarried, leading to the various bricks and tile companies of today. Also coal and stone were discovered underground and mining and quarry became a feature of the landscape. Our other main industry the processing of wool and the weaving of it came about because of sheep farming in the area. In the 15th century, Flemish weavers settled here and began using the wool for their trade.

St Nicholas’ is the third church to be built on this site. There was a chapel here in the 13th century (possibly built around 1255) and a record of the parish priests go back to the 1200’s. A second church was built on the site in the 17th century and was still referred to as Cumberworth Chapel.

During this period, Bishop Tilson preached at Cumberworth. Henry Tilson became Bishop of Elphin Ireland in 1639. soon afterwards, a rebellion began against King Charles I as a result of his persecution of Puritans and his attempt to force a prayer book on Presbyterian Scotland. Bishop Tilson’s son, captain Henry Tilson, opposed the King. Bishop Tilson’s life was endangered and he had to flee from Ireland. He came to shelter with relatives at Soothill Hall near Dewsbury but the King’s troops were constantly searching for him.

Against the king’s command, he continued to preach and in fact consecrated a room in Soothill Hall where he privately ordained priests. He was penniless and had 13 children to support and, out of compassion, Sir William Wentworth employed him to preach at “Comberworth”, as the village by now was known. The Bishop of his standing became a poor country curate. one thing is certain of Bishop Tilson, he was a very brave man, prepared to put his life on the line for his beliefs. In the face of increasing danger of death from the King’s troops. It is believed that he only got away with it because, in his own words, Comberworth was “up in the mountain”.

The “Cumberworth Chalice” has been in the possession of our church ever since. word handed down through the generations say that it was left as a thank you by Bishop Tilson for the protection he had been given during his time here. it is thought to be a drinking cup rather than a chalice as it has no stem and narrows at the base. The silver is beautifully engraved and its hallmark is 1667, although experts say it was manufactured in York by Thomas Waite in 1655 (which makes it possible for the story to be true). The chalice is irreplaceable and for safe keeping now resides in the crypt at York Minster where it can be seen by the public. The present church building was built during the 1870s, but unfortunately no records have been found about the actual building of the church and therefore the architect is unknown.

Written by Sue Holt.