Birchcliffe War Memorial

Birchcliffe War Memorial, The Birchcliffe Centre, Formerly Birchcliffe Baptist Chapel, Birchcliffe Road, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8DQ

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Overview

War memorial, unveiled in 1922. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1453672
Date first listed:: 18-Jun-2018
List Entry Name:: Birchcliffe War Memorial
Statutory Address:: Birchcliffe War Memorial, The Birchcliffe Centre, Formerly Birchcliffe Baptist Chapel, Birchcliffe Road, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8DQ

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1453672
Date first listed:: 18-Jun-2018
List Entry Name:: Birchcliffe War Memorial
Statutory Address 1:: Birchcliffe War Memorial, The Birchcliffe Centre, Formerly Birchcliffe Baptist Chapel, Birchcliffe Road, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8DQ

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: Birchcliffe War Memorial, The Birchcliffe Centre, Formerly Birchcliffe Baptist Chapel, Birchcliffe Road, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8DQ

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Calderdale (Metropolitan Authority)
Parish:: Hebden Royd
National Grid Reference:: SD9950027442

Summary

War memorial, unveiled in 1922.

Reasons for Designation

Birchcliffe War Memorial, which was unveiled in 1922 and is located by the side of the main approach to the former Birchcliffe Baptist Church, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Historic interest:

* as an eloquent witness to the tragic impact of world events on the congregation of the Birchcliffe Baptist Church and the sacrifice it made during the First World War.

Architectural interest:

* as a well-executed cenotaph form of memorial decorated with bronze plaques and details.

Group value:

* with the former Baptist church and the steps and entrance archway to the same (both Grade II).

History

The aftermath of the First World War saw the biggest single wave of public commemoration ever with tens of thousands of memorials erected across England. This was the result of both the huge impact on communities of the loss of three quarters of a million British lives, and also the official policy of not repatriating the dead: therefore memorials provided the main focus of the grief felt at this great loss. One such memorial was raised at Birchcliffe as a permanent testament to the sacrifice made by the members of the Birchcliffe Baptist Church, who lost their lives in the First World War.

The memorial was designed by the architects Sutcliffe and Sutcliffe and was unveiled on 12 November 1922 by Mr Joe Haigh, an ex-servicemen from Birchcliffe. It commemorates 27 local servicemen who died during the First World War.

The memorial was cleaned in 2009.

Details

MATERIALS: stone cenotaph and curtain walls with bronze plaques and detailing.

DESCRIPTION: Birchcliffe War Memorial is located to the right hand side of the main approach to the former Birchcliffe Baptist Church. It consists of a stone cenotaph flanked by stepped, curved curtain walls. The cenotaph has a central full height panel which is set forward and inscribed; this is embellished by a bronze wreath at the apex above an egg and dart band. The flanking higher curtain walls have inset bronze plaques with stone surrounds inscribed with the names of the Fallen. Inverted bronze torches are located to either side of the plaques which are said to represent the extinguishing of the lives of the Fallen. The memorial sits on a single stepped base on a raised site which is reached by a set of four steps.

The front face of the cenotaph has an incised inscription which reads TO THE/ MEMORY OF/ THE MEN/ FROM THIS CHURCH/ WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES/ FOR US/ IN THE GREAT WAR/ 1914 – 1919/ THEY LAID THEIR RICHEST GIFT/ - THEIR LIVES -/ ON THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE/ LET THEIR NAMES BE REMEMBERED.

Sources

None.

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.