Nominal: 1093 Hz Weight: 558 lbs Diameter: 29.88" Bell 1 of 3
Founded by Samuel II Smith 1718
Dove Bell ID: 3931 Tower ID: 15026 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Roundhay: St John
Overview
Grid reference: SE 337 372
A modest church in the Gothic Revival style, St John's features a large broach spire and lancets, and sits on a gentle slope with sections of graveyard to the north and south. It's situated at the south east corner of Roundhay Park, along with a school, vicarage and almshouses. It was constructed between 1824 and 1826 to designs by Thomas Taylor, and funded by the Nicholson family who lived at Roundhay Park. The building is cruciform in plan.
Visiting and facilities
Building is closed for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Ground plan:
Nave, transepts, chancel, west tower & porch, organ chamber, vestries and south porch.
Dimensions:
(approx) Nave 18m x 7m, transepts 7m x 4m, Chancel 9.5m x 7m
Description of Archaeology and History
The church was built in 1824-1826 to designs by Thomas Taylor who died two weeks after it opened. The church was given by the Nicholson family who lived at Roundhay Park. Taylor was known to the Nicholson family and he had previously designed the Union Bank at Leeds in 1812-1813 where Stephen and Thomas Nicholson had both been partners. Taylor was responsible for a handful of churches in Leeds and the surrounding area and St John’s is an almost identical copy of Christ Church, Woodhouse near Huddersfield and very similar in design to St Peter, Earlsheaton and Holy Trinity, Ripon.
St John’s was extended in 1885 when the chancel was lengthened and a vestry added.
Exterior Description
The churhc was built in the Gothic Revival style with lancets used throughout the original build. Cruciform in plan it is typical of Commissioners Churches of this time, but funded entirely by the Nicholson family.
The west tower is of three stages with flat buttresses and a broach spire with lucarnes. The first stage has an archede doorway on the west face with a small niche over and short lancets on the north and south faces. The second stage has the clock face to the west and lancets again to the north and south and the third stage louvers on each side.
The nave and chancel have a continuous pitched roof and the transepts’ pitched roofs meet at the same height. The nave is of three bays, each with a single tall lancet. The north and south nave elevations are identical save for the small pitched porch on the south side between the first two bays from the west. The east elevation comprises three equal lancets.
The transepts each have single lancets to the west and three stepped lancets to the ends. The top of each gable has a small quatrefoil contained in an oval which is not expressed internally. Both transepts are adjoined to the east; the organ chamber on the south and vestries on the north each with diagonal buttresses. The organ chamber has a separate pitched roof and a small door and trefoiled light to the south and a similar light to the east. The vestry block leans onto the chancel with a chimney stack rising above. The north elevation of the vestry has a plain doorway, a pair of cusped lights and a further single cusped light. The eastern face has a similar cusped light and access to the crypt is stepped below the vestry.
Building Fabric and Features
Stained Glass
1868
East window. Three lights. Scenes from the life of Christ, including baptism, crucifixion, last supper. By Ward and Hughes. In memory of William Nicholson who died 1868.
Stained Glass
1916
Sanctuary north. Single light. Mary, by Heaton, Butler & Bayne. In memory of Fannie Thompson nee Thackeray.
Stained Glass
1893
Sanctuary south. Single light. St John, by Messrs Kayll & Co. In memory of Henry Hudson, died 1861.
Stained Glass
1871
South transept, three lights. By O’Connor 1871 (Michael O’Connor’s sons Arthur and William Henry). The glass here has been conserved by Barley Studio in recent years using isothermal glazing. The glass is now mounted internally in a bronze structural perimeter frame in front of new clear leaded windows reproducing the pattern of stained glass.
l-r
The Good Samaritan. In memoriam John COOPER
Jairus’ daughter, In memoriam Louisa Connor COOPER. In loving remembrance of Louisa Connor COOPER of Gledhow in
the Parish of Chapel Allerton the above window is here placed by Mary her sister. She died on the 17th February 1865 aged 30 years. For so He giveth his beloved sleep. (brass plaque below window)
The sower. In memoriam David COOPER.
Stained Glass
Various
North transept, three lights. l-r
Ives family war memorial by Kayll & Reed of Leeds 1936. In grateful and loving memory of Kenneth Hill IVES of the 8th West Yorkshire Regiment who died 9th December 1914 aged 22 years. Also of his brother Derrick Ives RA Sub Lieutenant HM Submarine H10 who died January 1918 aged 21 years. They died in the service of their Country.(in window)
In loving memory of Alfred Edward IVES Alderman of the City of Leeds who died at Greystones, Roundhay 21st April 1934 aged 68 years. The window above was given by his widow Beatrice in memory of their two sons. (brass plaque below)
In loving memory of Sqn. Ldr. Edward Leslie IVES RFC RAF brother of Kenneth and Derrick, born 1898 died 1949 and of Joyce his dearly beloved wife born 1901 died 1984. (brass plaque below)
Pilgrim’s Progress, by Michael O’Connor 1870. This window is erected by Henry HUDSON and his children in memory of Margaret Anne wife of the above who died October 5th 1860 aged 39 years and of Edwin H. HUDSON Lieutenant Royal Engineers their second son who died August 12th 1870 aged 21 years. Christmas 1870
Willey family war memorial by Charles Steele of Leeds, 1920. To the Glory of God and in loving memory of 2nd Lieutenant Tom WILLEY 15th West Yorkshire Regiment killed in France 1st July 1916. Faithful unto death. (in window)
Stained Glass
1889
Nave south wall (east), single light. Simeon, Nunc Dimitis by Heaton, Butler & Bayne 1889. In affectionate remembrance of Thomas DAVIS M.A. incumbent of this Church for 48 years.
Stained Glass
Nave south wall (west), single light. Jesus and the children, unsigned but possibly by Heaton Butler & Bayne. In memory of Lucy Helen LUPTON and Robert Bertram LUPTON.
Building Materials
Millstone Grit
Walls built with local Bramley Fall Millstone Grit
Slate
Westmoreland slate roofs
Interior
Interior Description
The nave is pewed throughout with simple pine pews with carved ends. The walls are covered with stone monuments. There is no structural division to the transepts but a tall pointed arch to the chancel. There are entrances to the vestries via the north transept and the chancel. The organ on the opposite side of the chancel speaks via an arch directly into the transept.
There is a west gallery supported on thin column posts; stairway access is immediately west of the south entrance. The tower has a tall arch which continues behind the gallery and encloses a doorway to the ringing chamber at gallery level. The walkways are decorated with mosaics and the chancel floor has a large interlocking circular design in mosaic.
The roof is flat, painted red and does not reach to the full height of the pitch. Thin pilaster columns lead to timber beams which span the roof and intersect over the crossing.
Fixtures and fittings
Altar
Open frame table with simple trefoil decoration
Reredos
The sanctuary is a First World War memorial in mosaics. Depicting from left to right are St Alban, St John, St Martin. St Oswald and St Wulfstan. Above is a painted triptych which was the gift of Hawthorn Kitson in 1888.
Pulpit
1885
Oak with arched carved panels, stone plinth with octagonal base and central pillar with carved acanthus detail. The base painted in white, pink and gold. A gift from Henry Marshall Sykes.
Lectern
1884
Brass eagle, given in memory of Francis Lupton died May 1994.
Font (object)
1885
Octagonal Caen stone, central pillar with four marble columns. Symbols on each face. Painted white, pink and gold.
Organ (object)
1885
Two-manual organ installed in 1885 by Fosters and Andrews of Hull. Rebuilt 1951 by Nelsons of Durham; restored 2000. A brass plaque reads: For the Praise and Glory of God this organ is dedicated by James KITSON of Elmete Hall - Easter 1885.
Rail
Hinged wooden rail, supported on wooden pillars.
Pew (object)
Bells
Nominal: 1377 Hz Weight: 362 lbs Diameter: 25.13" Bell 2 of 3
Founded by Samuel II Smith 1719
Dove Bell ID: 28012 Tower ID: 15026 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1227 Hz Weight: 437 lbs Diameter: 27" Bell 3 of 3
Founded by Samuel II Smith 1718
Dove Bell ID: 28013 Tower ID: 15026 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SE 337 372
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 | N/A |
| Solar Thermal Panels | N/A |
| Biomass | N/A |
| Wind Turbine | N/A |
| Air Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | N/A |
| Ev Charging | N/A |
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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