Historic Sowerby

View an old map of Sowerby

Stansfield Court No.s 3,4,5,6 on left, No.s 7 and 8 on left down steps, no.s 9, 10 on right landing

Stansfield Court

Woods Court on left, Stansfield Court in background

Woods Court

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Cobden Street

Sowerby Congleton Church

Wood Lane Hall

For Boulderclough see Historic Luddenden

This is Boulderclough Methodist Church. For some 112 years there has been active religious work here. The first place of worship was opened in 1822, its establishment being chiefly due to the evangelising influence of the Rev. T.Halliday, a primitive Methodist missionary from Sheffield. An interesting point is that the people not only helped financially, but also gave their free labour in its erection.

In the early days the cause prospered despite persecution and even imprisonment, but after about ten years, enthusiasm waned for a while. In 1834, the church came under control of the Methodist New Connexion, which, in 1852 purchased the whole estate for £120. The last services were held in the old chapel on Jan 31st 1897, and the new chapel, built in the style of renaissance chateux of France and Belgium, at a cost of approx £3050, was opened on Oct 1st 1898.

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Rooley Lane 1875

Star Inn - Rushcart

John "Almighty" Whiteley – The Star Inn, Sowerby

At the bottom of Well Head Lane in Sowerby stands the Rushcart Inn, formerly known as The Star Inn. Built in 1798 by the Jennings family, it became home to one of Halifax's most eccentric characters: John Whiteley, known locally as "John Almighty."

The Man Behind the Legend

Whiteley took over the pub around 1810 and quickly became a fixture in local life. A Sowerby Parish Constable and man of curious habits, he styled himself "The Lynx Eyed Thief Catcher" and "The General." A Whig supporter, he even stood as a candidate for Halifax in 1832.

By day, Whiteley held various local government offices. By night, he preached from an old Post Boy's box converted into a pulpit in an upper room at the pub. Behind the building, he rebuilt a cottage in 1837 to serve as a prayer meeting house.

The Lost Portrait

A large portrait was commissioned and hung proudly on the pub wall, bearing the inscription:

"John Whiteley Aged 44 Years""The Lynx Eyed Thief Catcher and General Candidate for Halifax A.D. 1832""The Reward of Integrity in the Discharge of Arduous Public Service"

But Whiteley's fortunes declined. By 1849, mounting debts forced the sale of the pub. He moved to Mill Bank and eventually died in Halifax Workhouse on 6th April 1858, likely buried in an unmarked grave at St Peter's Church, Sowerby.

The portrait vanished into history.

The Mystery Solved

Decades later, the painting resurfaced on the Antiques Road Show (broadcast from Arundel Castle, September 2007), valued at £2,500. Its new owners had purchased it at auction and were intrigued by newspaper cuttings about ghostly connections to The Star Inn—and by strange events occurring since they'd hung it in their home.

The mystery was solved: during the late 1950s, Whittakers Brewery had removed the portrait from the pub and displayed it in their Halifax offices. When the brewery closed, the painting was auctioned off.

A Ghost Remains

Many locals hope to see John "Almighty" Whiteley's portrait return to its rightful home at the Rushcart. As for the man himself? Legend has it his ghost still haunts the pub—a fitting tribute to one of Sowerby's most unforgettable characters.