Ruins of the Chapel of St James, the Old Bell Chapel
RUINS OF THE CHAPEL OF ST JAMES, THE OLD BELL CHAPEL, THORNTON ROAD BD13
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1291137
- Date first listed:
- 07-Aug-1981
- List Entry Name:
- Ruins of the Chapel of St James, the Old Bell Chapel
- Statutory Address:
- RUINS OF THE CHAPEL OF ST JAMES, THE OLD BELL CHAPEL, THORNTON ROAD BD13
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2001-08-14
- Reference:
- IOE01/04217/13
- Rights:
- © Mr John Turner. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1291137
- Date first listed:
- 07-Aug-1981
- List Entry Name:
- Ruins of the Chapel of St James, the Old Bell Chapel
- Statutory Address 1:
- RUINS OF THE CHAPEL OF ST JAMES, THE OLD BELL CHAPEL, THORNTON ROAD BD13
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
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.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- RUINS OF THE CHAPEL OF ST JAMES, THE OLD BELL CHAPEL, THORNTON ROAD BD13
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Bradford (Metropolitan Authority)
- Parish:
- Non Civil Parish
- National Grid Reference:
- SE 10582 32681
Summary
Ruins of Thornton’s late medieval church rebuilt in 1612 and then in 1818 when in the care of Rev Patrick Bronte, father of the Bronte sisters.
Reasons for Designation
Ruins of the chapel of St James, the Old Bell Chapel is listed for the following principal reasons:
* Historic interest: as the remains of Thornton’s late medieval church, the 1612 inscribed stone is of particular interest;
* Historic Association: for the association with the Bronte sisters, their father being the incumbent who oversaw the 1818 rebuilding.
* Group value: with the church of St James which was built in 1870 as the chapel’s replacement.
History
The ruined chapel of St James, also known as the Old Bell Chapel, was the precursor to the Church of St James across Thornton Road to the north which was built in 1870 and is separately listed. The ruined chapel is traditionally dated to 1612 because it includes an inscribed stone stating that it was built at this date by freemasons. However it also includes 1587 and 1756 date stones, whilst the main east window is C15 in style.
The Rev Patrick Bronte became curate in charge of the chapel in 1815 until he moved to Haworth in 1820. Bronte oversaw the partial rebuilding of the chapel in 1818, including the addition of the bell turret, and it was here that his three literary daughters were baptised: Charlotte 1816, Emily 1818 and Anne 1820.
Details
Chapel, C15 with rebuilding in 1612 and 1818, now ruinous.
MATERIALS: squared sandstone roughly laid to courses. Finely dressed sandstone bell turret.
PLAN: nave and north aisle forming a single cell chapel of six bays, with a small vestry or chapel projecting from the east end, to the north of the east window. 1818 bell turret formally projected from the centre of the west gable.
DESCRIPTION: the east wall survives to nearly full height and includes a single, two-centred arched window with simple Perpendicular style panel tracery. Externally this window has a hood mould with carved-head stops. Set in the wall internally to the north of the window are three inscribed date stones: 1587; 1756; and “THIS CHAPPELL WAS BUILDED BY…..IIIIII E FREEMASON IN THE YEARE OF OUT LORDE 1612”
The side walls are reduced to below window sill height, the south wall being footings only. At the west end there is a stone built plinth supporting the octagonal, crenulated bell turret.
The projecting vestry or chapel survives to full height, but is largely roofless. It has edge set quoins, shaped kneelers to the gable, and a three light window.
Listing NGR: SE1058232681
This listing was enhanced in 2016 to mark the bicentenary of Charlotte Bronte’s birth.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 337189
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 03-Jun-2026 at 22:26:01.
Download a full scale map (PDF)© Crown copyright [and database rights] 2026. OS AC0000815036. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100024900.© British Crown and SeaZone Solutions Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Licence number 102006.006.
End of official list entry