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St John's Church, Leeds, West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire

Overview

Address

23 New Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, LS2 8JD
Where to find this church

Opening times

Updated opening times: Due to unforeseen developments with our partners the church has reverted to it's previous opening hours of 11am-1pm Every Other Saturday (depending on volunteer availability), commencing Saturday 16th November 2025. For any other enquiries regarding opening times, please contact.

Email address

msproat@thecct.org.uk

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About This Church

The oldest church in Leeds

St John's is the oldest church in Leeds city centre. It was built in 1632-34, a turbulent time in England when very few new churches were constructed. The glory of the church lies in its magnificent Jacobean (Carolean) fittings, particularly the superb carved wooden screen. Every part of the screen is richly decorated with flowers (including tulips), hearts, twisting vines, and grotesque heads of humans and animals.There is more lovely carving on the wall panels, pews and pulpit. Brightly painted angels play instruments in the roof and look down on wonderful carved pews below.

The church building was entirely funded by wealthy merchant and Royalist John Harrison who also paid for the grammar school and almshouses nearby. Harrison''s benevolent spirit still pervades the church - he is buried near the altar, and a series of stained-glass windows depicts his good works. One of the windows shows an apocryphal tale in which Harrison presents King Charles, imprisoned in Leeds, with a tankard of gold coins disguised as a draught of ale.

Other monuments around the church commemorate the citizens of Leeds throughout the centuries, and emphasise the importance of the wool industry to the city's prosperity. In the mid-nineteenth century, the parish wanted to demolish the building and rebuild a more convenient modern church. The young architect Norman Shaw led an outcry against this, joined by the eminent architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. Happily they prevailed and Shaw was responsible for the ensuing restoration, very much in the original style of the building.

Please help us to keep our churches open by donating a gift of £5 or £10 by texting the numbers below or visit our donation page here

Text LEJ to 70970 to give £5

Text LEJ to 70191 to give £10

Your generous donation will help us to protect a beautiful part of local and national heritage. Thank you!

Our churches cost on average, £2500 per year, to keep them in a safe condition for visitors to come and enjoy.

Donate

Access Information

The path to the church across the churchyard can become slippery in damp weather and care must be taken in icy conditions. Wheelchair users will need to access the church via Merrion Gardens.

Facilities & Hire

Due to the historic nature of our buildings, only a very small number have heating, running water or toilet facilities. The lighting is usually operated via a 'push button' timer or a motion sensor.

  • Church Available for Hire

History & Further Information

Why not make your visit more enjoyable and informed by finding out more about this church before you visit? You can download a range of publications below including the relevant county guide, and any walk round guides we have for this church.

Leeds St. John the Evangelist - Your Church Tour

Yorkshire County Guide 2012

This free of charge short guide contains details of all the churches we care for in North, South and West Yorkshire. Printed copies of the county guides are also available at the church.

Directions

In Mark Lane, off New Briggate in central Leeds.

Transport

Nearest railway station: Leeds (1 mile). Bus route numbers 12/13/13A/770/781..

Community Information

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