All Saints Church, Little Horton

As I happened to be passing All Saints Church, Little Horton on a beautiful day, I decided to stop and take some photos. I think it is an absolutely stunning building. Its elegant tower spire is over 61m tall and visible for miles. 

It was built in 1864, designed by Francis Healey for the Lord of the Manor of Little Horton Green, Sir Francis Sharp Powell who lived in Horton Hall (now demolished).  When the church was built, Bradford was rapidly expanding and nowadays the church is hemmed in by the city, not far from the University and right opposite one of the main hospitals (some of whose original Victorian buildings used to be a Victorian Workhouse). At one time though, this was a small farming and cotton weaving hamlet; some of the old buildings still survive behind the church. 

It was closed, of course, so I couldn't go inside but I think the interior has been changed quite a lot in order that it can serve both as a church and a community facility. It operates as the Landmark Centre, founded 20 years ago through an exciting vision by the church to make good use of the space, in a relatively deprived parish with a diverse multi-ethnic population. The centre currently runs training courses to help people into work and offers support groups for children with additional needs and challenging behaviour, providing respite for local families. 

To have the care of such significant church buildings in deprived areas is something of a ongoing headache for clergy and the Diocese, and repairs rely heavily on grants and trusts. That they continue to offer both worship in a lively congregation and many other vital community services is testament to the vision and love anchored here for many years.