VISITORS to an Ilkley church will have a unique opportunity to see the original architect's designs for the building after they were recently discovered.

The designs for Grove Congregation Church - now known as Christchurch - will be on display in the church on The Grove, Ilkley on Saturday, August 26 from 10am to 4pm to coincide with the end of Ilkley Summer Festival. After they have been on view to the public they will be consigned to the West Yorkshire Archives.

The scheme for the building began to take shape in the mid-1860s. The land on the corner of Green Lane (now The Grove) and the proposed Riddings Road was obtained in 1867. The foundation stone was laid on May 30, 1868. Although much work still needed to be done, the church was opened for services on June 16, 1869.

“The 150 year-old plans on linen are something quite special,” said Margo Atkinson on behalf of the Leadership Team at Christchurch. “The artwork is beautiful. They show minute internal and external details of windows, woodwork and stonework, including the proposals for the top of the spire.

"People who think they know Christchurch well have been fascinated to see what actually happened – or not! This is an opportunity to compare the designs with the finished building.”

She added: “We also have many photographs and souvenirs of life at Christchurch and its constituent Methodist and Congregational congregations in Leeds Road and Wells Road. There are also more recent designs for the building when the buildings were developed as Christchurch, housing Congregational (United Reformed) and Methodist congregations.

“Christchurch is used widely by the community. The building is expensive to maintain so we are offering various activities during the day, hoping to add to our funds. For the most part, we are asking for payment in £1 coins, funnelling them quite literally into our coffers.”

The original architect’s work, displayed with the help of Christchurch’s neighbours, Halliday Clark (architects), will be part of a full day’s activities at Christchurch.

A Yorkshire quiz has been devised and the Jigsaw Festival team, preparing for October, are planning some jigsaw fun. There will be bargains on an unwanted gifts stall and, for relaxation, an opportunity to view on big screen local views photographed by member of the congregation for Christchurch calendars over the last four years. The flower arrangers are enhancing the worship area and preparing to pass on some tips with demonstrations. The Christchurch Cafe will be offering its usual tempting menu.