Saturday 10th october, 2009
Bradford's Benefactor
Francis Sharp Powell was born in Wigan and was the town's MP. Although Wiganers claim him as their own, for most of his life he was also associated with Little Horton near Bradford. He was at least as generous to the people there as he was to Wiganers.
It is in the realms of religion and education that Sir Francis Sharp Powell's generosity is most remembered.
When he first moved to Little Horton, it was a rural area on the outskirts of the rapidly growing industrial town of Bradford. The town's urban expansion led to a rise of non conformist churches in areas such as Horton. Staunch members of the Church of England, such as Francis, felt an urgent need for a new Anglican Church in the district to counteract this.
A plot of land was found near his house. This was a suitably elevated site for the magnificent All Saints' church, which was built with Francis' money. Reverend Henry Leach was appointed vicar in 1863, and the church was consecrated in 1864.
The All Saints' Church website describes the grade II listed building as “... the finest church building in Bradford.” The picture opposite seems to confirm this statement.
A school was built next to the church. When this became too small, Francis paid for the construction of a separate infant school.
As the population of Bradford continued to increase, yet another church was needed in Horton. In 1893 Francis bought the land on which St. Columba's Church and School were eventually built. Lady Powell laid the foundation stone on 22nd May, 1899 and the church was consecrated on 1st April, 1902.
In 1875 he was far-sighted enough to support the founding of Bradford Girls' Grammar School and became a governor there. He had been a governor of the Free Grammar School of King Charles II (for boys) at Bradford since 1862.
Francis was a supporter of the Mechanics' Institutions which were established to educate workers in the scientific principles involved in their jobs. By the 1870s, however, he was of the opinion that they functioned as recreational clubs rather than educational institutions.
He decided, therefore, to donate £500 to aid the founding of the Yorkshire College of Science. This institution was founded to advance the scientific knowledge of workers in the wool and textile industries in a more formal way than was possible with the Mechanic's Institutions. This was necessary in order to gain an advantage over our advancing European rivals.
The college opened in 1874 with Francis as a life governor. After a few years, classics, modern literature and history were added to the curriculum and the institution became known simply as the “Yorkshire College”. Unlike many contemporary adult educational establishments, it was open to women and students of all religions.
By 1887 the Yorkshire College had combined with the Leeds School of Medicine, Owens College Manchester and University College Liverpool to become the Victoria University.
This federation of colleges was short lived and in 1904 King Edward VIII granted Leeds its own university charter.
Over his thirty years' involvement with the Yorkshire College, Francis is thought to have donated about £5,000. In recognition of this, and his thirty year involvement, his name was included in a list of Honorary Graduates of the new Leeds University and he received the degree of LL.D.
Francis' achievements in Bradford and the surrounding area were rewarded in 1902 when he was granted the Freedom of the City.
The Statue with the Shiny Foot
Sir Francis Sharp Powell, the Early Years
Sir Francis Sharp Powell, the Politician
Francis Sharp Powell, Wigan's Benefactor