United Benefice of Thornhill & Whitley Lower
Serving our local communities
Previous Rectors
Rev John Michell BD, FRS: 1724-1793
Memorial to John Michell in tower of the church
Blue plaque to commemorate the work of John Michell.
The plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Kirklees Cllr Jean Calvert on the morning of Saturday September 8th. The plaque was provided by 'Dewsbury Matters'. At the ceremony, Chris Butlin from the Institute of Physics, gave an address - click here to view. He was dressed in the style of Henry Cavendish (a friend of Michell) and spoke as if he was Cavendish.
There is also a pamphlet available written by Chris Butlin - click here to view. You may view this document but copyright is retained. Please ask permission to reuse from butlinca@aol.com
The definitive book about Michell by Russell McCormmach is available from Amazon at £191.68.
A talk by Chris Butlin and a PowerPoint presentation is available with copyright restrictions as above - click here to view.
Dignitaries at unveiling
Left to right:
Cllr Ahmed; Chris Butlin; Margaret Watson, Mayor, David Powell (Head Science College), Lindsay Dew (Rector).
Pictures of Previous Rectors
Canon Hayman, 1907
Rector Canon Joshua Ingham-Brooke, 1867
Rector Rev Grenside, 1880
Bishop Walsham How
Robert Ellerby, 15 July 1787, Curate Licensing at Thornhill
in many ways acted as Rector doing all baptisms, weddings and funeral for many years.
This history about his portrait
by Elaine Burford is very interesting.
click here to read
Rector Christopher Spafford, 1961
Rector Canon Coney, 1940
Rector Rev Nicholas Webb, 1970-1992
Rector Rev Ron Howell, 1993 - 1996
Rector Canon Lindsay Dew, 1996-2009
Susan Clarke 2010-2017
