The beginnings of spiritual life of the Serbs in this part of the United Kingdom can be traced back to 1948. In December 1947 the first group of Serbs who decided not to return to communist ruled Yugoslavia, arrived from a camp in Germany and settled in various parts of north England, having accepted a three year agreement with the government of this country.
They agreed to spend this time working in coal mines, textile factories or farms. Those who chose farm work were sent mainly to Scotland, while those who chose to work in textile factories or coal mines came to Yorkshire. Most of them originated from patriarchal Serbian families and had been brought up in the Christian Orthodox faith and in the Serbian tradition. As soon as they had began to settle, the spark of faith started to burn ever more brightly and they soon felt the need to organize their spiritual life. They did all this very modestly with the limited means that they had at their disposal but always with a strong faith in God and a firm hope of a better future which is characteristic of the Serbian people.
Once the three year agreement had expired, the Serbians were able to seek whatever employment they could find. Those who had settled in the larger towns and cities in the North of England began to ask their relatives, friends and neighbours to live closer to them and they began finding them employment and accommodation. Thus began the formation of Serbian communities in Manchester, Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Halifax Huddersfield, Rochdale and Oldham.
As their financial situation began to improve, so the idea of purchasing a church was first discussed in 1952 and a committee for the purchase was formed. People were appointed in various places to collect funds from the local Serbian community and a decision was made to purchase a building in Boothtown, Halifax.
In 1953 the former Mount Carmel Methodist Chapel was acquired. The building was bought in a dilapidated state, but after much renovation work and adaptation for Christian Orthodox practice, the church was finally consecrated on 26th September 1954. From thereon, this was officially the start of the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in Halifax. His Majesty, King Peter II of Yugoslavia attended the opening along with various other civil and clerical dignitaries.
Since those early years, life in the Serbian community has evolved gracefully, always maintaining a dignified presence in the north of England.
