St Mary's Church, Luddenden

St Mary's Church in Luddenden has been in existence since the late 15th century. It was rebuilt in 1600 and then demolished in 1814.

Consecration of the church took place in 1624. This meant that it became a 'parochial chapel' rather than a 'chapel of ease' and so baptisms, weddings and burials could be carried out.

The present church was re-opened in 1817. A new chancel was added in 1866 and the church extended in 1910.

Stoddart's Old Halifax Series No 2
With thanks to Calderdale Libraries
http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/

Photo taken in 2017

There are a number of baptisms and burials recorded for Hileys and Highleys (and some Hyleys) at Luddenden, and a small number of Hiley marriages.

The first recorded Hiley baptism was that of Martha, daughter of James Hiley of Warley, on 21st March 1668. The first recorded Hiley burial took place the following year on 17th October when Sarah Hiley was buried.

There were four Hiley marriages recorded at Luddenden. The first one was the first recorded marriage at the church and was between Henry Hiley and Mary Swaine on 1st May 1661. Henry was living at the Hileley (Hiley) messuage at the time and went to live at nearby Hathershelf with Mary. These were properties just off Sowerby Lane on the hillside above Luddendenfoot in the Upper Calder Valley.

Marriage of Henry Hiley and Mary Swaine
(with the permission of West Yorkshire Archive Service)
www.wyjs.org.uk/archives

The other marriages at Luddenden were between Henry Hiley and Sarah Cockcroft in 1691 and Henry Hiley and Sarah Bedford in 1707 (most likely the same Henry), and between Deborah Hiley and Michael Oldfield in 1714. Deborah was the daughter of Henry and Sarah Cockcroft.

The churchyard was closed for burials in 1853 and a public cemetery over the other side of the river was opened in 1860. The earliest surviving gravestone is dated 1625. Research is continuing to establish whether there are any remaining gravestones which bear the Hiley/Highley surname.