Heritage
Anne Lister’s Spiritual Home
Anne Lister was an English diarist, famous for revelations for which she was dubbed “the first modern lesbian”. Her family estate was nearby at Shibden Hall. Anne Lister worshipped in Halifax Parish Church, now the Minster, and both her baptism and funeral services were held in the church. It is said she greatly admired the altar rails and modeled the balustrades at Shibden Hall on them. Recent interest in Anne Lister has grown due to the popularity of the BBC series ‘Gentleman Jack’ based on her diaries.
Anne Lister’s tomb can be seen in the Minster. In the Victorian reordering the tombstone was damaged and removed and thought to be lost but was rediscovered during restoration work in the early 2000s. Despite very extensive archaeological study the exact spot where she was buried cannot be determined.
A pilgrimage walk that starts and finishes at the Minster is available. Copies are available in the Minster shop, alongside other books and Anne Lister merchandise. More information about the Pilgrimage Walk is available at the British Pilgrimage Trust CLICK HERE
Duke of Wellington Regimental Home
Halifax has long been associated with the 33rd Regiment of Foot, later to become the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. The Chapel at the south-east corner of the Church was adopted by the Regiment as their Memorial Chapel and dedicated in 1951.
Some colours of the Regiment are laid up in this Chapel. The more notable are those carried in the Waterloo and Crimea campaigns. The blue carpet was specially woven and presented by Messrs.
John Crossley and Sons, the local and well-known carpet manufacturers. The silver ornaments, used on special occasions, were made from Regimental trophies. All the chairs in the Chapel were made by ‘Mousey’ Thompson, and there is a mouse carved on one of the legs of each chair.
