Told by the Dial: stories in stone
Upper Brockholes, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 8XG
Mount Zion is a building of architectural interest and boasts an impressive monumental graveyard. The current Chapel was built in 1815 but high up on the front façade is a sundial, which started life on the original 1773 building. In 1901 Mount Zion’s New Connexion minister, the Reverend William Walker, decided to write a book, 'Told by the Dial', which related stories about the history of Mount Zion, Methodism in Halifax, and the people who attended the Chapel. The stories were told from the perspective of the sundial, which by 1901 had observed the comings and goings at Mount Zion for one hundred and twenty-eight years.
Some one hundred and twenty four years later, the Told by the Dial: Stories in stone project, provides a twenty first century take on Reverend Walker’s idea. Using the building and monuments in the burial ground as creative inspiration, children from two Calderdale primary schools, identified and explored stories from the distant and recent past. They retold these and added their own tales to the one's originally told by the sundial. These 'Tales' will feature in our open day this year, with a few of the children (aged ten and eleven), acting as volunteer guides and storytellers. There will also be a colouring workshop, 'Welcome to Calderdale', led by well known local artist Roger Davies, suitable for children and adults.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 13 September:
- 1030-1500
Location & directions
Upper Brockholes, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 8XG
- Directions:
- By car: map and Sat Nav details Halifax HX2 8XG. From the A629, turn onto Per Lane, Upper Brockholes. By bus: The 502 – Great Northern Line – Halifax, Ovenden, Denholme, Cullingworth, Keighley, stops off at the end of Per Lane. Mount Zion is approximately a hundred metres down Per Lane on the right-hand side. On foot: A629 onto Per Lane, or Lane Head, or Pavement Lane onto Per Lane. Section 11 of the Calderdale Way, Luddenden to Brockholes, takes you to the front gates of Mount Zion.
- Contact on day:
- Dr Diane Hadwen
- Telephone number:
- +447958759805
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Additional information
Access to the Chapel and grounds is via a ramp from the road. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor, but not accessible to wheelchair users. Weather permitting, car parking will be available in the field to the rear of the chapel.
