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Leeds Parish Church’s joy at move to be a minster
Canon Tony Bundock pictured at Leeds Parish Church.
Leeds Parish Church is to reclaim an “ancient title” and become Leeds Minster.
The honour is a fitting tribute to the city’s Church of England roots, said the Rector of Leeds Tony Bundock.
The new status will recognise the vital role St Peter’s church plays in the community, he added.
A special service to mark the occasion is planned for Sunday September 2 – exactly 171 years after the building’s original dedication as Leeds Parish Church, attended by pioneering nurse Florence Nightingale. Prior to this it is likely Leeds Parish had been a minster.
Canon John Carter, diocese spokesman, said: “We are working on an assumption here, but when the current Victorian building was built and the previous one demolished they found a Saxon cross.
“It is assumed there was once a Saxon church on the site – there was certainly two or three religious buildings before the present day church.
“Minsters were popular in Anglo-Saxon England and are having a resurgence in popularity in modern times. ”
St Peter-at-Leeds was built by the River Aire on a Christian site that dates back 1200 years.
Canon Bundock said: “This gives important recognition to Leeds Parish Church in its role as a church for the city.
“In reclaiming the ancient title of minster, I believe the church will be strengthened as a place of welcome and hospitality to the changing culture of the city, focusing on the Celtic model of daily prayer, mission and service.
“Becoming a minster will help strengthen and develop our opportunities for team working with our partners of Holy Trinity, Boar Lane and St Mary’s Lincoln Green in Leeds.”
He added that it would add to its appeal as an already well-established tourist destination. “It will further enable Leeds Parish Church to be promoted as a tourist destination through membership of Welcome to Yorkshire and as a place of both spiritual refreshment through our daily services, and practical hospitality in our cafe.”
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
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nevben1954
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 07:28 AMI am confused as to the status of a Minster in ecclesistical terms, is this the same as a Cathederal?
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