He wanted to alleviate poor housing conditions of his parishioners and set about creating housing estates - which are still recognisable today - and very much feature in this snapshot of Gipton over the years that have been uncovered in the Yorkshire Evening Post archives.
Delving into the photo files, we also found memories of flooding, crossing campaigns and school projects which readers might recall.
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2. School project
Pupils of East Leeds High School at Seacroft clearing rubbish from the overgrown Wyke Beck in July of 1994.
3. Old School
A shot from above which shows the St Nicholas Campus at Oakwood Lane, Gipton in November 1975.
4. Eye-sore
This was taken in July 1992 at Wykebeck Valley Road and the caption still with the photo reads "An eyesore row of flats at Gipton that have been dubbed a death trap by neighbours who fear someone could be killed unless immediate action is taken to board them up."
5. Keep it local
Locals go about their shopping at Coldcotes Circus Shops in February 1991. The parade is still a hub for local shops.
6. Protests
Back in July 1988 angry residents decided that 15 months was long enough to have been waiting for a new community centre, so members of St Wilfrid's Residents Association made placards and staged a demonstration outside a block of former council flats in an attempt to get work started on the conversion.