Morley (St. Matthew)
The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £13. 6. 8.; net income, £822; patrons, alternately, certain Trustees, and E. D. Sitwell, Esq. The tithes have been commuted for £320. 14. 4., and there are 111 acres of glebe in Morley township. The church is a large structure, built at different periods between the 12th and 15th centuries; the nave is a good specimen of Norman architecture, and the spire, which is lofty, was built by Goditha, the widow of Ralph Statham, and her son Richard Statham, in 1403. There are several interesting brasses of the Stathams and Sacheverells, and some monuments of more recent date of the latter family. The stained glass which adorned the cloisters of Dale Abbey, and after the Dissolution was transferred to this church (being presented by Francis Pole, Esq.), has been recently restored by the skill of Mr. Warrington. The principal subjects are, a legendary history of Dale Abbey, a history of the Holy Cross, and fulllength figures of St. Mary the Virgin, St. Mary Magdalene, St. Ursula, St. Elizabeth, the Four Evangelists, St. Peter, St. James, St. Robert of Dale, St. John of Bridlington, and William, Archbishop of York. Previously to their restoration, the figures were much mutilated, and many portions were misplaced; they now form perfect pictures, and the ancient glass has been so successfully imitated that the new parts can scarcely be distinguished from the old. The windows of the church are now highly interesting to the antiquary, and do great credit to the labour of Mr. Warrington and the liberality of Mr. Osborne Bateman, by the latter of whom the entire expense has been defrayed. At Smalley is a chapel of ease. A national school is supported by a small endowment, and by subscription. Almshouses for six men were founded in 1656, by Jacinth Sacheverell. There is a tumulus, apparently of Roman origin.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.