Leeds: All Saints
Overview
Grid reference: SE 316 335
The church was designed by Diocesan architect Peter Edmund Benson Hill of Hill Mawson Partnership in the 1970s to replace the original Victorian church which had fallen into poor repair and was demolished on the completion of the new build structure (PM 213, 1971). The church room was added to a 1920s church hall, which had been updated in the 1950s. The new church was opened in 1980.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
This building has now been sold.
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
L-plan building. Hall with kitchen and bathroom geographically E-W with worship area adjoining east end, aligned north-south. Liturgical orientation used hereon in unless otherwise stated. Vestry to SW.
Description of Archaeology and History
There are no known archaeological records for the site. Heritage Environment Records for the surrounding 500 metres identify two 19th century textile mills, a pottery and the listed former public library and baths on York Road. The site has no known human remains and the former church stood to the north of the current building on a different footprint.
The original stone church of All Saints, Leeds was built 1849-51 by Mallinson and Healey. The decision was made to replace it in light of the need for major repair to the spire. The Council for the Care of Churches produced a pastoral measure report in 1971 (PM 213) in which it expressed its concerns over the proposed demolition.
The new church was designed by Diocesan architect Peter Edmund Benson Hill of Hill Mawson Partnership in the 1970s. The new worship area was added to a 1920s church hall, which had been updated in the 1950s. The old Victorian church was demolished following the completion of the new building, which opened in 1980 and was consecrated on 25 February 1980.
Exterior Description
From Cross Aysgarth Mount the single storey structure poses a long windowless stone elevation with slightly varying rooflines. The L-shaped building has three main parts. A lower gabled section to the geographical west is the hall building, with a doorway and central round-headed window in the elevation facing the road junction. A stone cross finial marks the apex. Then a slightly higher gabled section has a round-arched gateway in the centre which opens into a passageway leading to the lobby. Extending geographically north from here is the worship space. In addition to the north side of the hall is a flat-roofed extension containing kitchen and WCs.
From the carpark and churchyard, the worship area can be appreciated in full. Its design has a barn-like quality. The stone has been nicely dressed. The liturgical east (geographical north) elevation is windowless and has two buttresses. The only windows are French doors in the liturgical north elevation. The lobby area in the join between the hall and the worship area is lit and accessed through French windows with an additional side window, both with security bars.
Building Fabric and Features
Church Hall
20th century
Church
20th century
Kitchen
20th century
Building Materials
Stone
20th century
Welsh Slate
20th century roof tiles
Painted Plaster
20th century interior
Wood
20th century floors
Interior
Interior Description
The worship space is entered through glazed wood doors from the lobby area which sits between the worship space and the church hall.
The liturgical west end of the worship area has a curved wall, and a curtain on a curved rail divides the main seated area from an informal narthex area laid out with casual seating and a children’s ‘corner’. Pendant lights are suspended from a low sound absorbing ceiling.
Within the main worship area the ceiling rises up to a central square timber box beam formation. Lighting, in the form of floodlights, are attached to this. There is a window in the north wall and a vestry in the south-west corner. Light falls on the altar from a rooflight in the hipped gable. A shallow curved stone step projects around the altar and the carpet floor is cut away to a stone circle around the font.
From the lobby there is access to the churchyard and carpark to the north, a passageway leading south through to the street side, access to the hall via three steps, as well as a ramp to the WCs, kitchen and former choir vestry.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
20th century Beech table c 1980, thought to have been redesigned from the old altar of All Saints. Could have been designed by Hill for the new build. Embroidered altar frontal.
Lectern
20th century Wooden priest's desk used as lectern.
Font (component)
20th century Circular stone drum with flat wood cover and iron scrollwork.
Reredos
20th century Formed by curtain hung on wall with wood carved crucifix with plaster figure fixed in front.
Rail
20th century Two sections either side of altar, in same design as altar table.
Organ (component)
20th century 2 manual organ by Wood of Huddersfield, c 1980.
Stained Glass
20th century A semi-circular panel above the lobby door, installed c 1985 commissioned by a previous incumbent.
Portable Furnishings and Artworks
Seating is upholstered beech seats.
Registers before 1948 are stored in archives.
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 316 335
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
Quinquennial Inspections
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