Hunslet Moor: St Peter & St Cuthbert
Overview
Grid reference: SE 299 317
By reason of its bulk, the sturdiness of its materials and design, and the sharp geometrical character of its forms this church - although in no respect an outstanding example of architectural design - is something of a landmark the area of Leeds in which it stands and the visual qualities of its silhouette, from a townscape point of view, should not be under-estimated.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave with north and south aisles, west porch, and south-west tower; chancel with polygonal sanctuary, an organ chamber on the north and a chapel on the south. South of the south chapel, and at right angles to it, is a large vestry or church room; still further to the south, i.e. detached from the church and at the far and narrower end of this wedge-shaped site, is a complex of halls; a fairly recent vicarage has been built between the church and the halls complex and there is access to all those buildings from a private roadway, within the boundary wall, at the east end of the site.
Description of Archaeology and History
Built by the local firm of Perkins and Backhouse, 1868.
Exterior Description
By reason of its bulk, the sturdiness of its materials and design, and the sharp geometrical character of its forms this church - although in no respect an outstanding example of architectural design - is something of a landmark the area of Leeds in which it stands and the visual qualities of its silhouette, from a townscape point of view, should not be under-estimated.
The external facing is a buff sandstone which has weathered unevenly to produce quite a rough texture and a good deal of variation in colour; there is fairly generous use of brick as horizontal banding, round the heads of windows (e.g. those of the apse, and in the west wall), and elsewhere; and the plate tracery of the windows is carried out in a contrasting more smoothly finished stone. The roof coverings are of Welsh slates.
The west facade is divided into three approximately equal stages by stone or brick string courses: in the centre of the lowest stage is the porch, its double opening and circlet in the head reflecting the character of the window tracery throughout the church; the porch is very steeply gabled — sharp triangles are a feature of the design of this building - and two circular windows, flank the gable on either side. In the middle stage are two tall west windows, each of two principal lights - rounded, rather than pointed, at the head - with a circlet forming plate tracery at the top. The third stage is a lofty gable, with several banks of bricks and consisting of a substantial inner circle surrounded by eight small circles.
At the south-west corner is the tower, occupying the greatly enlarged western bay of the south aisle. Up to a point corresponding roughly with the middle of the nave wheel window the tower is square on plan, with tall windows on the three external sides (like those in the nave west wall only even taller) and clasping buttresses with triangularheads; then, with the aid of broaches, the tower becomes octagonal and rises in two further stages to a short but powerful stone spire. The upper, or belfry, stage of the octagonal part of the tower has a two-light louvred opening in each face; and, half-way up the spire on alternate faces, are rugged and steeply-gabled lucarnes which have the curious subtlety of double gables, one behind another, an effect obviously intended to heighten the dramatic impact of the spire - which it does quite effectively - when seen from a distance.
The nave is both lofty and lengthy, the six bays each having an aisle window of two lancet lights with a circlet between them at the top, and a clerestorey window of three lights with an octofoil in the head. The windows, because of their sharp geometrical outlines and tracery, give the impression - highly characteristic of the 1860's - of having been punched in the walls. At the east end is the chancel, lower in height and comparatively short, and the five-sided sanctuary apse with tall two-light windows having quatrefoils enclosed in circlets in the head.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1891
Apse windows - there are five windows in the apse, each of two tall lancets with a quatrefoil at the top: each light has a figurative composition in both the upper and the lower part with elaborately drawn geometrical canopy work above each light.
Stained Glass
1924
The Good Samaritan (1924, by Charles Steel) - North aisle.
Stained Glass
1901
The Good Shepherd and St. Peter as a shepherd (1901, Kayll of Leeds) - North aisle.
Stained Glass
1904
Suffer the Little Children (1904, Kayll) - North aisle.
Stained Glass
1904
Consider the Lilies (1904, Kayll) - North aisle.
Stained Glass
South aisle - patterned glass.
Stained Glass
Christ in Majesty in the large wheel window - West window
Stained Glass
St. Peter and the Ascent of Elijah in the two small roundels. West window.
Interior
Interior Description
The tremendous internal volume of the nave is rather daunting, and this is probably accentuated by reason of the brick internal facing walls having been whitewashed— though traces of the original decorative scheme may be dimly discovered, e.g. over the arches of the arcades. The arcades are of six bays, the aisles little more than passage-ways, and the capitals of the cylindrical piers are carved with a vigour and an exuberance which is well-nigh aggressive. The arches of the arcades are slightly chamfered. The roof has the profile of an arched barrel vault, with a network of larger members closely boarded in between. At the west end is a panelled wooden internal porch, and the sharp geometrical shapes of the windows in the west facade stand out emphatically- especially the large wheel window in the gable, and the two small circular windows, since they alone have stained glass in them. A modest detail is the setting back of the clerestorey wall by a few inches from the level of the arcade wall, and the pronounced ledge which serves also as a string-course and calls attention to this setting-back.
Looking east, the chancel arch also daunts, by reason of its great height; it is supported on either side by immensely tall attached colonnettes with elaborately carved capital like those of the nave arcades. There is a rise of three steps to the chancel, and a further rise in height to the level of the altar footpace. Across the chancel stretches a seven-bay screen and beyond it in the apse the three triangular gables of the reredos complete the effect. Slender attached colonnettes divide each bay of the apse from its neighbour, and the apse roof is a fine piece of carpentry.
Fixtures and fittings
Font (object)
1897
White marble octagonal bold with blank quatrefoils on each face, supported on pink marble columns, and given to commemorate the "Jubilee Year of the reign of Queen Victoria" (1897).
Lectern
1897
Brass eagle, the base supported by lions; dated 1897.
Pulpit
Wooden polygonal body, supported on a stone base. The toprail is carried on stubby colonnettes with openwork tracery between.
Organ (object)
Organ - fills two bays on the north side of the chancel and has attractive painted and gilded pipes.
Reredos
Marble, and given its distinctive shape by the three narrow goblets, duly crockotted; these enclose a central panel with a white marble crown flanked by panels with alpha and omega.
Rail
Communion rails - consist of a notched wooden toprail supported by iron members which are the very epitome of High Victorian design.
Screen
Consists of a central wide bay flanked on either side by three narrower bays. The style is Perpendicular; probably early 20th century.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 299 317
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
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