St Bartholomew’s Church, Armley is a parish church in the Church of England in Armley, West Yorkshire. The church is one of two Church of England churches in Armley; the other being Christ Church. Worship at St Bartholomew's is firmly rooted in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England with a solemn mass being celebrated weekly.
History
The first chapel at Armley was built in 1630 but not consecrated by Richard Sterne, Archbishop of York, until 1674. In 1737 it was extended to the north, the roof was raised and a small balcony was added at the west end. In 1825 the chapel was much enlarged through the benevolence of Benjamin Gott, a local industrial businessman with woollen mills in Leeds. A new church was built starting in 1872 to designs by the architects Henry Walker and Joseph Althron of Leeds. It was consecrated in 1877 but the tower was not dedicated until 1904. The church is constructed of Horsforth sandstone. The old chapel was demolished in 1909.
Charles Clapham, of Trinity College Cambridge, perpetual curate from 1822 until his death in 1848. See also references to him as incumbent of Armley in 1828, and 1842.
Features
The reredos erected in 1877 has alabaster carvings of the Magi, crucifixion and Old Testament figures. The pulpit is of alabaster and marble, copied from that at the shrine of Sebaldus in St. Sebaldus Church, Nuremberg. There is a sculpture by Joseph Gott at the west end of the north aisle to Benjamin Gott of Armley House who died in 1839. In the south aisle there is 'Faith comforting the Mourner', commemorating the two sons of Benjamin and Elizabeth Gott who died in Paris and Athens.
Organ
The church is perhaps best known for its organ. It was built by the German builder Edmund Schulze. It was originally installed in Meanwood Towers in 1869. In 1877 it was inaugurated in St. Peter's Church, Harrogate. Following a dispute with the vicar, the organ was installed in St. Bartholomew’s in 1879. It was rebuilt in 1905 by James Jepson Binns and other restoration work took place in 1956 by Hill, Norman and Beard, 1974 by John T. Jackson and Son and 2004 by Harrison & Harrison. The organ has been awarded a Grade II* listing by the British Institute of Organ Studies for organs which are good representatives of the work of their builder, in substantially original condition. A specification of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register.
