Nominal: 1384 Hz Weight: 279 lbs Diameter: 23.13" Bell 1 of 1
Founded by John Taylor & Co 1961
Dove Bell ID: 59561 Tower ID: 23237 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Seacroft: Church of the Ascension
Overview
Grid reference: SE 351 354
A conservative church for the date of its construction – 1961, built in a Byzantine style. Architect not identified. Constructed in a single phase with few alterations. The composition and massing at the east end is of most interest.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Sold to a Pentecostal congregation.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Latin Cross plan with an east tower over the chancel. 6-bay aisled nave with north and south transepts. Vestries to the north-east and south-east. East Lady Chapel extending east of the chancel. Basement beneath west end.
Dimensions:
[Approximate] Nave 10.5m (34ft) x 22m (72ft), aisles 1m (3ft) wide, chancel 4m (13ft) long.
Description of Archaeology and History
Seacroft is a settlement of ancient foundation on the eastern outskirts of Leeds, originally in the Parish of Whitkirk. Roman coins found within 1km of the site and a post-medieval ridge and furrow are visible as earthworks and cropmarks on air photographs.
From 1937 Seacroft was subsumed into the city’s largest council estate. According to Pevsner the early stages of its construction followed the typical pre-war cottage labour layout. However much of the housing either side of York Road (A64) and across the Ring Road (opened 1964) into Swarcliffe was built post-WWII. Thirteen multi-storey blocks were built by 1968, many since demolished.
A foundation stone laid in the east wall of the church is dated March 1961. Photos inside the church illustrate that there may have been a temporary church on the site first and that the existing structure was built to the original design and in a single phase. There is no suggestion of the architect.
Exterior Description
The Church of the Ascension was built in a Byzantine manner, at odds with other churches of this date. Its construction is a steel frame encased in a brick skin, with the work executed in a single phase. A foundation stone in the east wall records the start of work in 1961. The church has a Latin cross plan but is not liturgically orientated.
Paired round-headed windows pierce the north and south walls. Round-headed lancets at the west end are set beneath a gabled bellcote, beneath them are blocked windows to the basement. A pitched roof over the main body of the church contrasts with different roof levels at the east end which forms the main view on approach by road. Gabled transepts meet the nave to north and south. Flat-roofed porches and vestries, with parapet walls and square-headed windows, abut either side of the transepts. Steps up to the north porch. Rising up between the pitched roof of the nave and the Lady Chapel is a tower surmounted by an octagonal lantern with a pyramidal roof.
Building Fabric and Features
Tower (component)
20th century east over chancel
Chancel
20th century
Nave
20th century 6-bay aisled nave
Transept
20th century north and south
Vestry
20th century north east and south east
Lady Chapel
20th century extending east of the chancel
Basement
20th century beneath west end
Building Materials
Brick
20th century red
Clay
20th century Roman clay tiled roof
Interior
Interior Description
Porches with painted oak doors adjacent to the west side of the north and south transepts have traditionally provided entry to the building. Inside the main space is smaller. Steel trusses support the roof which is enclosed in a sort of barrel vault formation by asbestos ceiling tiles. The floor is covered in blue lino tiles and seated with wooden unfixed pews of c.1960. The nave is of six bays and has narrow unseated aisles separated by slender pillars under flat lintels. A tea point is located in the south-west corner. The windows contain clear glass in rectangular leaded panes, additional illumination is provided by strip lights in the ceiling.
The north transept provides space for an organ whilst the south transept is used for storage. In the nave, between the transepts, two rows of choir stalls with panelled frontals face one another. Beyond them the chancel curves out into the nave, bounded by railings and raised by a carpeted step. A matching pulpit and reader’s desk either side of the ‘chancel arch’ recall ambones. The sanctuary is positioned beneath the tower where light filters down onto the altar (raised on another step) through translucent ceiling tiles above.
Passages either side of the chancel lead to a choir vestry on the north side and on the south side a clergy vestry as well as a toilet which also accommodates limited kitchen facilities. External oak doors at the east end are original. At the far east end, in line with the sanctuary, is the Lady Chapel. This can be accessed via the passages to the north and south, or through an opening between the chapel and the sanctuary which is screened by a curtain. The chapel is complete with original light fittings, altar rails, pew frontals and an altar.
There is a basement beneath the west end where the boiler is located.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century solid table of oak and veneer
Pulpit
20th century panelled wood with matching readers desk on opposing side
Lectern
20th century plain wood, stored in south porch
Font (component)
20th century Small portable octagonal wooden font on splayed base with circular metal cover with the figures of a dove as a handle. A small plaque records it in memory of Adelaide Perrin, d.1962.
Rail
20th century painted metal rails of 1960s design with wood hand rail, extends around 3 sides
Organ (component)
20th century An organ by Wood Wordsworth & Co. of Leeds positioned in the north transept. There is also a piano, keyboard and sound system.
Bells
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 351 354
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
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