The development of Birstwith owes much to the Greenwood family, which arrived - in the form of John Greenwood - in 1805. A Keighley mill owner, John came to Birstwith and not only bought both the cotton and corn mills, but Swarclifffe Hall as well. St. James's Church was endowed by his son, Frederick (prompted by his son, John) and consecrated by Robert Bickerstaff, Bishop of Ripon, in 1857. According to Jennings "(History of Nidderdale"), the new church was built in the face of opposition from Thomas Shann, the Vicar of Hampsthwaite.
The first organ was aquired in 1873 and moved and improved in 1888 - it was powered by a water driven fan, the water coming through a two inch main from Swarcliffe. Apparently, the sound of rushing water could be heard during quieter moments. Electricity did not come to the church until 1952 and the water driven fan was in use until then.
The church was originally lit by candles and although gas was available in the village fron 1820 to 1864 it did not reach St. James's - until the supply from Harrogate came at the turn of the century. Electric lighting was installed in 1955. In 1872, coal/coke fired central heating was installed - now oil fired.
I am indebted to " A Short History of St. James's Church Birstwith" by Geoffrey W. Manock for these brief notes.