History
The history of St. Thomas' Church
Our History
The ecclesiastical parish of St. Thomas’ Greetland was formed in 1861. It is a grade II listed building. It was originally in the Diocese of Ripon, then of Wakefield and now falls into the Leeds Diocese.
The church building consists of chancel, nave, transept, north aisle, south porch and south-western tower with pinnacles, which contains an electric clock and a single bell.
The church was consecrated in November 1860. There have since been some changes, including a Lady Chapel being formed in 1936, toilet and small kitchen area being added in 2008. Screens and TVs to give flexibility for services and other events. We have recently renovated the organ.
The church is an imposing building located at the top of the village where it can be seen from many vantage points. The parish borders those of Elland, Stainland, Barkisland, Norland and Copley.
The current parish was originally two parishes – St. Thomas’ Greetland and St. John’s West Vale. These were united with one vicar in 1973 and then when St. Johns’ closed in 1982, St. Thomas’ became the main church of the parish of Greetland and West Vale.
The church buildings also comprise of a large Parish Hall that was built in 1915, this has a main hall with stage, two meeting rooms and a kitchen as well as toilets and is well used by the local community.
