Community Hall

St James Hall opened in 1820 and became the home of the town's first school which charged students 10 pennies a week to attend! The hall has continued to serve our community for the last 200 years through social functions, luncheon clubs for the elderly, amateur operatic and dramatic society productions, pantomimes and, in the 1950s and 60s, accommodating classes from Aire View Primary School.

Today it is still well used by around 500 people a week from local community groups including

1st Silsden Guides, Brownies and Rainbows
1st Steeton Guides
1st Silsden Scouts, Cubs and Beavers
Mothers' Union
Pied Piper Pre-School
Charity Coffee Mornings and Evenings
Churches Together in Silsden
Silsden Grand de Party events/meetings
Church Social Events
Knit Stitch and Natter Group
Slimming World
Silsden photographic Group
Community Events

In 2017 Project 200+ was launched and we embarked on a fund-raising campaign to raise £350,000 to refurbish and modernise the Hall. The design proposals were developed in liaison with our users. Local opinion was canvassed through a project leaflet delivered to each household asking for feedback
The project has been divided into phases that can proceed as funds become available.

2017 Phase 1: Installation of new heating boilers.
2019 Phase 2 Installation of bifold doors, extended external paved area, provision of step free access to main entrance. Wi-fi installation.
2021 Phase 3 New timber floor to the main hall, upgrade the entrance lobby, replan toilet area, fit dementia friendly signage, conversion of the Scout‘s storage room to a new WC facility accessible from within the Church, refurbishment of church vestry.
2023 Phase 4/5 (planned) Hall Internal fit out and external weatherproofing works needed to complete the overall works.

We would like to thank our many donors for their generosity.
In addition to gifts and donations from parishioners and participants in our community events, we would like to express our grateful thanks to the organisations (listed below) who have enabled the project to progress to the benefit of current and future generations in Silsden.

Benefact Trust (previously Allchurches Trust)
Beatrice Laing Trust
Bradford Community Fund
Co-Op Local Community Fund
Craven Trust
Harry Beverly Tillotson Trust
Silsden Aid in Sickness
Sir George Martin Trust
The Bernard Sunley Charitable Foundation
The National Lottery Community Fund

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Services with one at 9:30am and another at 11:00am. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits in the hall between the services. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. We ask for a small contribution towards the refreshments. If you are coming to the 11.00 service refreshments will be available from about 10.15 onwards.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access through the Community Hall, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is a disabled toilet at the back of church as well as in the hall.

Our Services

The 9.30 service is a formal Holy Communion led by either David or Susan. We have an organist on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, other weeks we use videos created by St Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church. The service lasts about 50 minutes. All of the service is broadcast onto a TV at the front of the church. It is uploaded to Youtube.

The 11.00 service is a less formal gathering and will be different every week. Music is provided by videos on the screen, or by a keyboard player. There will be readings, a talk, sometimes there is congregational participation. We try to have members of the congregation involved as much as possible. The services are put together by David or Susan or another group within the church - for example one of the home groups.

At the end of both services we share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church - plus a Birthday slot with chocolate for the birthday person!

images: Services

What about my kids?

Unfortunately at the moment we do not have enough children attending the services to make Children's Work viable, although we would love this to change.
We have a table and chairs at the back of church with a box of toys and activities available. There are also bags for younger children containing a toy, some crayons and paper, and a couple of books.

Children

Getting Connected

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have several groups that meet throughout the week. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team.

Other Ministries

Get in touch with us to plan your visit

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome! Get in touch and we can arrange a time that suits you.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:
Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

Next, we will contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.

Leadership


Rev David Griffiths		Rev Susan Griffiths

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Best Wishes

David and Susan

Val Goddard, 24/08/2012