Nominal: 1649.5 Hz Weight: 366 lbs Diameter: 23.5" Bell 1 of 4
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1939
Dove Bell ID: 48561 Tower ID: 15244 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Hunslet: St Mary the Virgin
Overview
Grid reference: SE 311 313
Built 1862-4 to the designs of Perkins and Backhouse, replacing an early 17th-century chapel (built 1636), which in its turn possibly replaced a Medieval church. The village is recorded in Domesday Book, there are possibly burials of this date or later, although there was clearance of the site in the 1970s.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Only the spire of this church remains and is not currently accessible.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Square main block with rounded corners containing worship space, offices, hall, kitchen and toilets, west tower with spire, porch in base.
Dimensions:
Worship space 14x14m.
Footprint of Church buildings: 452 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
Large-scale redevelopment of the site and area may have left little or nothing of archaeological potential, but some potential remains.
Hunslet is mentioned in Domesday book of 1086.
Exterior Description
The church consists of the Victorian west tower, which is of four main stages crowned by a tall broach spire, reputedly the tallest in Leeds. The bottom stage housed the porch, the doorway now leading into the link to the main 1970s building. The next stage houses the ringing chamber, lit by 2-light Decorated windows. This contains historic ringing boards and photographs. The belfry stage also with 2-light windows and blind arches. The spire has 2-ligh lucarnes. Prominent clasping buttresses with foliated gargoyles at the angles.
The 1970’s building is square and flat-roofed with rounded, turret-like corners. There is a glazed entrance porch.
Building Fabric and Features
Church
20th century main worship block
Kitchen
20th century
Tower (component)
19th century west
Spire
19th century
Porch
19th century in base of tower
Building Materials
Sandstone
19th century Tower has ashlar-faced sandstone for walling.
Stone
19th century freestone dressings
Slate
19th century Westmoreland roofs
Concrete
20th century
Brick
20th century
Interior
Interior Description
Entry is via glazed double doors opposite the altar, which lead out to a corridor and thence to the functional rooms. The worship space is square, clearly on the way to worshipping in the round, although the altar is set back against the wall on a platform. Light-coloured walls, a strip clearstorey and big openings in the corners of the roof allow natural light in and present a pleasantly bright interior.
The main feature is the central coved pendant which has a lead sculpture of Saints rolled around it.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century High Altar, plain table and rails of the 1970s.
Lectern
20th century 1970's or later, plain wood.
Font (component)
20th century Octagonal bowl supported on central stone shaft, blind arcading. Origin unknown.
Pew (component)
20th century Open-backed pine pews with shaped backs from Mirfield, good.
Organ (component)
20th century Single manual organ by Benington & sons, 1970s.
Stained Glass (window)
20th century Strip windows with abstract glass in the corner behind the font.
Bells
Nominal: 1465 Hz Weight: 427 lbs Diameter: 25.5" Bell 2 of 4
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1939
Dove Bell ID: 48562 Tower ID: 15244 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 1160.5 Hz Weight: 587 lbs Diameter: 29" Bell 3 of 4
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1939
Dove Bell ID: 48563 Tower ID: 15244 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Nominal: 921 Hz Weight: 851 lbs Diameter: 34" Bell 4 of 4
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1939
Dove Bell ID: 48564 Tower ID: 15244 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Turnings: unturned Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 311 313
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
Quinquennial Inspections
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