History
Extracts taken from the Jubilee Souvenir, Scapegoat Hill Baptist Church by N Haigh
On the eastern side of the Pennine Chain, situated in the West Riding of the County of York, and somewhat removed from the rest of the mountain range - like a solitary sheep that has strayed from the ninety and nine stands Scapegoat Hill. Unassuming, like its people, this eminence has never claimed to be regarded as a mountain; though its summit is 1152 feet above the sea level.
Although at such an high altitude, being comparatively flat, this elevation has the disinction of being fairly well inhabited; a village of some twelve hundred inhabitants having grown up on its lofty heights; indeed it is said to be one of the highest inhabited districts in the county.
How it came to be known by its present name, it is difficult to ascertain, the derivation being somewhat obscure; yet there are evidences that, like most modern things, it has undergone a change within comparatively recent times.
Long before any place of worship was erected on Scapegoat Hill, many religious influences had been exerted and much good accomplished.
In great measure this was due to the earnest and faithful labours of the Rev. H.W. Holmes, who for forty-five years was pastor of the baptist church, Pole Moor, Scammonden. Untrammelled by the confines of any geographical diocese, this "mountain missionary", so far as was physically possible, "went everywhere preaching the word".
In the year 1894 the Rev. T.R. Lewis - then Pastor of the Scapegoat Hill Baptist Church - published a small booklet, giving a brief account of the life and lobours of this worthy minister of the gospel, to which we are indebted for a fuller acquaintance with his estimable character and manifold usefulness.
Being in the truest sense of the word, in the "Apostolic succession", this saintly man of God consecrated himself wholly and unreservedly to the service of the Master. Constitutionally strong, mentally vigorous, prolific in imagination, and devout in spirit, this worthy hero, thus endowed both in mind and heart, laid gifts on the alter of sacrifice. having received the Divine call, expressed may be through the voice of His people, he, like one of the old prophets, had responded and, if not in word, yet by the surrender of his life, had exclaimed, "Here am I, send me".
After exercising his ministry in various places for a period of years, he eventually settled at Pole Moor, which subsequently proved to be the sphere of his life work. Radiating from this centre, the light of his ministry extended in almost every direction, both far and wide.
Amongst the places so visited was Scapegoat Hill, where cottage prayer meetings and preaching services were regularly conducted on week evenings, the services being held alternate weeks on Scapegoat Hill and Nettleton Hill.
The new chapel was opened on Thursday, 29th March 1900. The opening ceremony was performed by J.R. Birkinshaw, Esq., Bradford, following which the Rev. W. Jones, Hebden Bridge, preached the opening sermon, from the text "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over" (Psalm 23-5).
The total cost of the new chapel, with land thereto belonging, and all the appurtenances thereof, amounted to the sum of £3,760, while the debt at the time of opening was about £1,100. To meet her liabilities the church was grateful to receive the generous assistance of the Yorkshire Baptist Association, £600 being advanced as a loan, free of interest, and £100 given as a subscription from the Baptist Building and Extension Fund.
And now at length after the toils and struggles, and manifold activities of more than thirteen years, the work of building is consummated, and the church provided with ample accommodation for all those who, like the Psalmist, "desire to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple". May its congregations continue to increase, until the vision of the prophet, expressed in poetic imagery, shall find a more complete fulfilment: "Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?