St Michael's Church, Headingley
History
The parish of Headingley was carved out of the once very large parish of Leeds, which at the time also included the districts of Armley, Beeston, Bramley and Hunslet. The first church on the site was built on land given in about 1620 by John Savile. This church remained in place for 210 years and could hold 200 congregants.
The Industrial Revolution brought population booms to northern England and the population of Headingley increased to 2,000 warranting the creation of a vicarcy in 1849 and the building of a larger, 600-seater, church in 1838, designed by the architect R. D. Chantrell.
However, this church was not to last: further increases in population meant that a new church was needed. Today's church is the third on the site and was consecrated in 1886.
With the growth in the local population a new parish of Far Headingley was created, and St Chad's Church, Far Headingley was built in 1868. The two churches have worked together in matters of child welfare. The Headingley Team of St Michael's and St Chad's have a tradition of undertaking welfare work dating back to the late 19th century, and during the Second World War St Chad's opened a home for the friendless girls' societies in Leeds. In recent years, the two churches hold early Sunday morning communion services alternately, and both participate in Churches Together in Headingley.
Building and associated buildings
The church was designed by J. L. Pearson, architect of Truro Cathedral. It was built from 1884 to 1886, and the north porch was added and the spire completed in 1890. It is built of gritstone with a tiled roof, and is Grade II* listed. The church wall and gate piers are Grade II listed.
The Parish Hall was built in 1834 or 1844 as the Headingley National School, and is Grade II listed, as is the former Parochial Institute in Bennett Road, built in 1877 by George Corson and now used as offices.
Services
Worship at the church is in the liberal catholic tradition of the Church of England, with both Sunday services being sung by the church's choir.
Sunday
- 10:00 am Parish Eucharist (Sung)
- 06:30 pm Evensong (Sung)
Tuesday
- 08:00 pm Compline (Said)
Wednesday
- 10:30 am Holy Communion (Said)
Incumbents of Headingley
| Period | Vicar of Headingley |
|---|---|
| In 1632 | Robert Dobson |
| In 1641 & 1642 | John Greenwood |
| In 1650 | ? Barratt |
| In 1657 | ? Bates (? Alexander Bate) |
| 1662–[1671] | William Robinson |
| [1671]–1675 | Richard Crashaw |
| 1675–1676 | John Briggs |
| 1676–1711 | Joseph Eammonson |
| 1711–1713 | John Benson |
| 1713–1730 | John Claphamson |
| 1730–1732 | John Murgatroyd |
| 1732–1746 | Samuel Dodgson |
| 1746–1764 | John Moore |
| 1764–1769 | Samuel Disney |
| 1769–1782 | William Lupton |
| 1782 | Jonathan Colton |
| 1782–1836 | John Smithson |
| 1836–1863 | William Williamson |
| 1863–1865 | William Fox Whitbread Torre |
| 1865–1881 | Henry Tuckwell |
| 1881–1913 | Frederick John Wood |
| 1913–1918 | George Arthur Hollis |
| 1918–1933 | Richard Henry Malden |
| 1933–1956 | Rowland John Wood |
| 1956–[1966] | Ralph Emmerson |
| [1967]–1981 | Christopher Luxmore |
| 1981–1991 | Owen Arnott Conway |
| 1991–[2001] | Michael Cross |
| Period | Priest in Charge |
| [2001]–2011 | David William Peat |
| 2012–2014 | Michael Anthony Whatmough |
| Period | Team Rector |
| 2014 – 2020 | Michael Anthony Whatmough |
| Period | Vicar of Headingley |
| 2021– present | Angela Birkin |
See also
References
- ^ "Who We Are". All Hallows Leeds. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "St Chad's Home For Girls". Retrieved 17 August 2021.
The home closed at the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 when the premises were commandeered for use as an Air Raid Precaution post.
- ^ Kholi, M. (2003). The Golden Bridge: Young Immigrants to Canada, 1833-1939. p. 234.
[Leeds] Ladies Association For The Care of Friendless Girls...
- ^ Wrathmell, Susan; Minnis, John (2005). Leeds. Pevsner architectural guides. Yale U.P. pp. 246–248. ISBN 0-300-10736-6.
- ^ Historic England. "Church of St Michael (Grade II*) (1255967)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Historic England. "Wall and gate piers to Church of St Michael (Grade II) (1255935)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Historic England. "Headingley Parish Hall, St Michael's Road (Grade II) (1256120)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
- ^ Historic England. "Former Parochial Institute (Grade II) (1255909)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "St Michael and All Angels' | Weekly Services". www.st-michaels-headingley.org.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
External links
- Official website
- St Michael & All Angels, Headingley at achurchnearyou.com