Churches of Bradford

For much of its history Bradford was a small town in West Yorkshire and a local centre for the wool trade. Industrialisation in the nineteenth century transformed Bradford. Textile mills, coal mining and iron manufacturing developed rapidly in the area and the town became known as the wool capital of the world. By the end of the century Bradford had become a county borough and city, and the rising population included many immigrants from Ireland and Germany. Large numbers of churches of all denominations were built in Victorian Bradford for these people, particularly nonconformist chapels and churches which particularly appealed to the urban population, and the building continued into the twentieth century although some of the older churches became repurposed. Churches of Bradford reveals the variety of historic church buildings in Bradford and the diverse history of the population of the city, from the Cathedral and other Anglican buildings to Roman Catholic churches and non-denominational chapels. All the churches in this book have special architectural, or historical and social interest. This fascinating picture of an important part of the history of Bradford over the centuries will be of interest to all those who live in or are visiting this city.