With a population just below 500, the parish of Whitley Lower is set around the two villages of Briestfield and Whitley bordering the larger parish of Thornhill. It is mainly a rural farming area with little industry or commerce except a haulage depot near the church and an Ice Cream Parlour.  The local pub in Whitley recently closed, but some refurbishment has been done to try to attract a new landlord. There are no shops in either community which means travelling at least 5 miles for major shopping. Whitley has an hourly bus connection to Thornhill, Dewsbury and Wakefield, but there is no service for Briestfield.

Whitley and Briestfield formed a part of the ancient parish of Thornhill and became a parish in its own right in 1847, with the building of St Mary and St Michael’s.

Lindsay's Final weekend-see his sermon on the Archived pages.