Yellow Pipe Church, England

The Yellow Pipe Church is an abandoned Roman Catholic Church in the north of England. It was named after the stunning yellow pipe organ that used to adorn the sanctuary. Sadly both this and the pews had been removed prior to our visit in the summer of 2017. The church has been closed since around 2010, and is currently being renovated into flats/housing.

History of the Yellow Pipe Church

A Christian congregation started services in a temporary building in the 1870s nearby to the present location, and also operated a school. This Gothic Revival church was built to house the growing congregation and was finally opened in the 1880s. It was built in red brick with sandstone dressings and a slate roof. The stained glass from the original Yellow Pipe Church was carefully removed and installed above the entrance to this newer building, where it can still be seen today.

The church was damaged during the Blitz of World War II, and after nearly a decade of repairs was reopened in 1954. The War Damage Commission assisted with financing the replacement of the stained glass windows, which were damaged during the bombings.

The bright and airy nave is lined by octagonal sandstone pillars, which support 6 gothic arches which line either side of the sanctuary. The tall ceiling features yellow timber arches. Numerous small doors lead off from the flanking aisles, leading to confession booths and smaller rooms and grottos.

The Yellow Pipe Church polychrome high altar features figures of bishops and saints, inset into little blue-painted alcoves. The altar is accented with blue and red paint, with ornate detailing in gilded gold. In front of the high altar is the pulpit, where the preacher would deliver the sermons. The pulpit is built into the altar and matches the alter decoration style seamlessly. Both the high altar and pulpit were built in the early 1900s.

There are smaller altars at the northern end of the aisle which flank the main chamber of the nave. One features the Virgin Mary, which was installed when the church was built in the 1880s. The second features Saint Patrick. A snake lays coiled at his feet.