![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cofe-pontefract.co.uk\/st-giles\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2016\/06\/1825-plan.jpg\")
![\"Church](\"https:\/\/cofe-pontefract.co.uk\/st-giles\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2016\/06\/1825.jpg\")
During the Victorian period (1825), the main entrance was moved from the middle of the south aisle to its present location near the west end and a vestibule created. Major alterations in 1868 to lower the Chancel roof to the same level as that over the nave necessitated Divine Service to be held, temporarily, under license in the Town Hall. In the same year the pew-boxes were removed and replaced by the present deal pews and the Sanctuary was completely rebuilt by the lay Proprietor, the Earl of Harewood. In 1882 plaster from Georgian times taken from the ceiling of the Nave revealed the previous wooden ceiling, which was then repaired and preserved. In 1895 the present organ was installed and most of the stained glass windows date from this period. In 1902, the font was moved from the east end of the south aisle to its present location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For several years St Giles served as the garrison church for the soldiers quartered at Pontefract Barracks. When compulsory church parades were abolished the galleries over the north and south aisles were no longer needed and in 1948 were removed thus allowing much more light into the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament at the south east corner of the church was created during the 1960\u2019s and remained until the major internal alterations took place in 2012. Major restoration works to strengthen the structure of the tower were undertaken in the 1990\u2019s and the church roof was completely refurbished in 2000 in readiness for the major internal alterations throughout the whole of the building which eventually took place during 2011 \u2013 2013.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The historical developments and structural changes to the church building were made to satisfy the increasing demands for accommodation and styles of worship. Consequently, although the church has a long and interesting history, the architecture is both varied and undistinguished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n