Saint Bartholomew's Church, Ripponden: The flood of 1722



St Bartholomew's Church, Ripponden was badly damaged when the Ryburn flooded after a severe storm on Friday, 18th May 1722.

The incident occurred around 4:00 pm.

The Ryburn suddenly rose 21 ft above the normal level, and damaged the Church, and also Stirk Bridge and many bridges, houses and mills along the river.

15 persons – 8 of whom were members of the same family – were drowned.

At the Church, graves were dislodged and several corpses were washed out of their graves. One coffin was found in a tree.

The Calder was driven back a quarter of a mile above Sowerby Bridge.

Watson wrote that

Some persons living near the Church saved themselves by forcing a way out of the roof of their houses, and sitting upon the ridges till the storm was over

See Glebe Cottage, Ripponden


See Chapel Farm, Ripponden / Chapel Field Mill, Ripponden / John Jagger / Ripponden Sunday School / Ripponden Vicarage / St Bartholomew's, Ripponden Memorial / St Bartholomew's, Ripponden: Churchwardens / The flood of 1722 / St Bartholomew's, Ripponden: Graveyard / St Bartholomew's, Ripponden: MIs



© Malcolm Bull 2025
Revised 12:37 / 15th July 2025 / 3762

Page Ref: QQ_117

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