Saltaire United Reformed Church

The Church was built by Sir Titus Salt in 1859 to serve his staff who worked at the Mill within the village of Saltaire, now a world heritage site. The building is a unique example of Italianate religious architecture. The entrance is up six steps under a portico supported by six unfluted Corinthian columns and topped by a fretted tower with a cupola. Fittingly, the Mausoleum built onto the church contains the remains of Sir Titus Salt himself.

Inside are hollow Corinthian columns with beautiful Scagliola exteriors, fashioned by Italian craftsmen. Two ornate chandeliers, ormolu and cut glass hang from the celiling, of such great weight additional roof trusses had to be inserted to support them. Originally lit by gas, they were made by Hausburg of Liverpool.

Unusually for a non-conformist church the tower houses ring six bells. The organ within built by Peter Conacher and Co. Huddersfield, was installed in 1890, rebuilt at the end of the Second World War, and again in 1991 by Michael Fletcher, a local organ builder now the church organist.

Rightly designated a grade 1 listed building it is well worth a visit. Details of opening times are on the church website. Groups can be accommodated by appointment at most times.