The Parish Church of St John the Evangelist. The Parish of Baildon was only formed comparatively recently in 1869. Prior to that, Baildon had been part of the Parish of Otley, although it had always been an independent chapelry. The original church of St John the Evangelist was a chantry chapel. It was probably built in the 12th century and was thought to have been founded by Dance Alice Quintain. The original chapel was 66 feet long , 28 feet wide and 15 feet high. The main part of the building stood on the foundations of the side aisle of the present building.
In 1846 it was decided to rebuild the church completely and demolition took place in May the following year. The new church was consecrated by the Bishop of Ripon on 29th March, 1848. Sadly the priest in charge at that time, the Reverend Edmund Hodgkinson, died only a few hours after the consecration of the church. The building was constructed mostly from new material and was designed as a copy of a 13th century building. There was extensive refurbishment in 1898 and in 1900 an organ was installed which was rebuilt in the 1920s and in 1956. The tower was built in 1928 as a war memorial with the eight bells being added in 1949. The Parish of Baildon was only formed comparatively recently in 1869. Prior to that, Baildon had been part of the Parish of Otley, although it had always been an independent chapelry. The original church of St John the Evangelist was a chantry chapel. It was probably built in the 12th century and was thought to have been founded by Dance Alice Quintain. The original chapel was 66 feet long , 28 feet wide and 15 feet high. The main part of the building stood on the foundations of the side aisle of the present building.
The current organ, which was built and installed in 1997, was dedicated in December of that year by the Bishop of Bradford. The church as we know it today resulted from the reordering and renovation that took place in the year 2000.
Locate St John's by clicking on the link below.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=415555&y=439653&z=1&sv=415555,439653&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
