TWO fascinating Otley churches, steeped in history, are throwing open their doors to welcome visitors on Saturday, September 10th for a new initiative being piloted by the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust titled ‘Yorkshire Churches Day’.

Yorkshire Churches Day is an occasion where everyone is encouraged to visit their local place of worship even if they have never stepped foot inside a church before. It will be a day for those who are curious about the history and heritage of their local surroundings.

Otley Bridge Church, the United Reformed Church in Otley, is a listed building dating from the late 19th Century, built in a Gothic style, much loved in the Victorian era, with its spire reaching into the sky.

As well as providing a home for worship, during the First World War the church hall was the centre of a social and support centre for the soldiers based at Farnley Camp.

A major fire in 1993 destroyed the hall and its surrounding rooms, but this was rebuilt within its surviving original walls.

The church will be welcoming visitors on Saturday, September 10th from 10am until 4pm for self-guided tours, viewing of the East Window commemorating those who served in WWI, treasure hunts, and displays. Light refreshments will be available.

Otley Parish Church is the oldest building in town, with parts dating from the 11th century. This Grade I listed medieval church features a display of Anglian cross pieces dating from the 8th, 9th and 10th centuries. The Evangelists cross is described as ‘one of the finest monuments surviving from pre-Viking Northumbria’ and the creatures on the Dragon cross as ‘fantastic beasts rarely rendered so solidly, in such relief on so large a scale.’

The church will be open from 10am – 4.30pm, with informative guided tours at 11am and 2.30pm, a display of historical documents, rolling presentations, and self-guided tours for adults and children.

The impressive Navvies’ Memorial in the churchyard will be open for visits, with an accompanying display in the church concerning early, local railway history - courtesy of the Otley Conservation Task Force. The tower will be open to visit as far as the bell ringing chamber and there will be a display of historical documents and rolling slide presentations, giving detail about the church's stained glass windows and a virtual tower tour. Light refreshments will be available throughout the day

Yorkshire Churches Day is being run in partnership with the Heritage Open Days initiative, and many other places of worship will be opening up for the duration of the festival from 9th – 18th September. Visit: www.yhct.org.uk/yorkshire-churches-day/