Square Church Spire

The Square Chapel in Halifax was designed by Thomas Bradley and James Kershaw at the instigation of Titus Knight, a local preacher. Construction started in 1772 and the chapel was visited by John Wesley in July of that year.

The Congregationalist chapel was typical of Nonconformist design in offering an uninterrupted view of the preacher, having no internal supporting structures. As its name suggests, the chapel has a square base. Atypically for the Calderdale region, it was built of red brick rather than local stone. That building survives (as extended) and is now an Arts Centre.

 Square Church, with its 235 ft (71.5 m) tower and spire was opened in 1857 and funded by the Crossley brothers, John and Sir Francis, of Dean Clough. The Church and its stone tower with tall spire was built in rich Gothic style by J James. 


The 1772 building was then used as a Sunday school. 

The tower and spire  of the Square Congregational Church survives; the rest of the 1850 building was demolished in 1976 after being seriously damaged by fire. The tower has been incorporated into  the new Halifax Central Library built on the site of the church.  The tower and the chapel are Grade II* listed buildings. Square Congregational Church can be seen on the right of the print. 

For details on the Square Chapel centre for the Arts please visit their website https://squarechapel.co.uk