History Talk at Foundry Street Community Centre

The history of Foundry Street Chapel and the surrounding area

23 January 2026

On Friday afternoon, Sheila Eastwood, Trustee of Foundry Street Community Centre, delivered an engaging talk and slideshow exploring the history of the Methodist Mission that was based at Foundry Street Chapel for around ninety years.

Sheila explained how the mission began modestly in the cellar of a small terraced house in Bogden, to the west of the chapel. As the congregation grew, the old foundry building was demolished and the chapel we recognise today was constructed in its place. Remarkably, the entire build took just eight months, from the laying of the first foundation stone to the first service.

The chapel remained active until 1973, when rising costs and falling attendance led to its closure. The building stood empty for several years before being purchased by Calderdale Council and converted into a community centre. This continued until the Covid 19 pandemic, when the centre closed.

In July 2021, following a decision by the Council to sell the building, a local petition was launched to save it, challenging the claim that it was no longer needed by the people of Sowerby Bridge. What followed was a lengthy and complex Asset Transfer process to secure the future of the building and its facilities. Since the keys were handed over on 10 November 2023, the centre has steadily grown into a lively hub of activity.

The afternoon concluded in the newly refurbished kitchen, where attendees sampled a Love Feast Cake from an original 1890s recipe dating back to the Methodist Chapel era. Conversations continued around the slideshow, the building and the future of the centre.

Thank you to everyone who attended. With a £2 donation on entry, we raised much needed funds to support the centre. Special thanks go to Sheila Eastwood for a well researched and thoughtfully presented talk.