IT’S in the heart of the town and undoubtedly one of the most handsome churches in Yorkshire.

But how much do you know about Huddersfield Parish Church, St Peter’s?

Wander into the Byram Street building on a sunny afternoon and you’ll be impressed – it is quiet, there may be some individuals in the pews, sitting, praying, meditating, taking a moment out of their busy lives to reflect.

There’s perhaps, the occasional noise or an emergency services siren coming from outside as the town centre goes about its business, but the church is an oasis of quiet and calm.

Walking through the heavy, wooden doorway, you’re welcomed by a sight to behold. As you sit in one of the pews, you see the amazingly colourful stained glass windows, the gallery, the organ and the pulpit.

There is also a donation envelope for your attention while behind you, there are notelets for sale and church pamphlets to pick up.

A parish church has stood on the site for almost 1,000 years – the original church was built by Walter de Laci, the second son of Ilbert de Laci, a wealthy noble, who held a great deal of land in Yorkshire, including the manors of Huddersfield and Almondbury.

Click below to view our picture galery of the church.

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The story goes that Walter, as he was riding from Huddersfield to Halifax, was thrown from his horse into a swampy marsh. Fearing for his life, he vowed that if he were spared, he would found a church at Huddersfield, which he did between 1090 and 1100.

Among the early vicars of Huddersfield were Michael de Wakefield (1216) and Henry Venn (1759-71).

In the 1830s a major rebuilding project was launched which involved raising the floor, extending the nave and increasing the size of the tower.

An estimate of £2,000 was given but the final cost was nearer £10,000.

The rebuilt church was consecrated on October 27 1836 and in 1879, the choir vestry was built.

On entering from the west porch you can spot the plaque recording former vicars and to the east you see the Conacher organ pipes of 1908 – these were reconstituted by Huddersfield’s Philip Wood in 1984.

In the direction of the sanctuary, you’ll notice the east window.

Looking toward the sanctuary, you can see the main beauty of the church, the east window and baldachino, both designed by Sir Ninian Comper in memory of the fallen of the first world war.

The lower part of the window shows a depiction of the risen Jesus Christ, and on his right St Peter, the other figures are St Mark, St Paul and St Aidan, all representing former daughter churches. The upper lights portray Christ in majesty, flanked by St Michael and St George.

In the south aisle is the Lady Chapel, built in 1944 as a memorial to a former vicar, Canon Leeper.

The building was re-modelled in the late 1980s when the floor was extended to enhance the communion area and the crypt was excavated. It has now been turned into office space and the Keys restaurant.

Seven colours of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment are on display in the church, with each one commemorating a battle.

And in recent years, a rolling programme of repairs to the church has taken place, all at a cost of around £740,000.

February 2010 saw the Festival of Bells which marked the 100th anniversary of the re-dedication of its tower clock and church bells.

In January 2012, it welcomed two new priests – the Rev Marion Russell and the Rev Dr Anna Wallis to work at the church.

It received a grant of £155,000 from English Heritage in March 2012 for essential repairs.

In April 2012, it was announced that the Rev Canon Simon Moor, the current vicar of St Peter’s, was going on a 96-mile walk across the West Highland Way in Scotland to help raise money for church repairs.

It is also a place where the town can come together at times of tragedy – it hosted a special service for fallen Huddersfield soldiers in May 2012.

In June 2012, the church was decorated in red, white and blue to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

One of the church’s most prominent recent vicars was Rev Catherine Ogle, who is now the Very Rev Catherine Ogle, Dean of Birmingham.

The former Vicar of Huddersfield is about to reach her first anniversary as Dean of Birmingham and is one of only three women to have become a Dean in the Church of England.

Canon Simon Moor plays a key role on a local Ordinands Support Group and is the Bishop’s Advisor for Ecumenical Affairs.

The church’s weekly services include: Sunday: 8.00am, Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer).

10.00am, Parish Communion for all ages.

Wednesday, 12.35pm Holy Communion.

St. Peter’s also works in close partnership with its neighbours at the Methodist Mission, on Lord Street.