The Rishworths of Coley were considered a minor County family, and a deed now at Shibden Hall, shows a seal opposite a signature of John Rishworth dated 20th April, 1457, a shield Argent, a bend sable between an eagle displayed vert and a cross crosslet sable. Oliver Heywood states that Coley Hall was a Priory before the Reformation. The writer has seen the double cross of the Knights of St. John cut in the stone pillar, Coley Hall Gate. The Squire at Coley Hall, over six hundred years ago was Henry de Coley and the family had close kinship with the Copleys of Copley. An Oratory was established in Coley Hall probably as early as Henry de Coley's time, certainly by his kinsman and heir, Henry de Rishworth, and then a chapel, as indicated in the Wakefield Manor Rolls. Coley Church dedicated to St. John of Jerusalem was built early in the reign of Henry the Eighth, and it supplemented the previous Chapel known as 'Rishworths' in Coley Hall. The endowment deed was made in 1530, and it was agreed that John Rishworth of Coley shall have the nomination of the Priest there for the time being, to him and to his heirs forever. The Church plate is very beautiful; the oldest chalice is undated. The second Chalice and Paten is 1620, and the newest is 1631. In 1816 the Church was rebuilt on its old site and in 1901, the Church was renovated and refurnished.
