Leeds’ oldest city-centre church set for major repairs to secure its future
Leeds’ oldest city centre church is set for repairs to secure its future
Repairs are planned on the oldest church in Leeds city centre to secure its future as an architectural landmark.
Stonework will be fixed at Grade I-listed St John’s Church on New Briggate if plans can be agreed with the council.
Clock faces, parapets and pinnacles are among features needing maintenance at the church, which dates back to 1632.
Scaffolding will be erected to enable the repairs if listed building consent is granted.
A report by Simon Sherriff Architects said: “We believe these proposed repairs will not harm the architectural or historic importance of the listed building and are necessary to maintain the sound structure of the existing church.”
The report said anti-pigeon spikes would be installed to prevent future damage to exterior clock faces.
Proposed repairs on the upper stages of the church tower are expected to last for up to 30 years.
The Church of St John the Evangelist was originally built by John Harrison, a wealthy local cloth merchant and philanthropist.
St John’s was declared redundant in 1975 and its care was vested with the Redundant Churches Fund, later named the Churches Conservation Trust.
The organisation looks after more than 350 listed church buildings, including some officially classed as ancient monuments.
The report said: “Without the Trust’s care, the buildings they look after might have disappeared completely.
“All of their churches remain consecrated and are used for occasional worship.”
Leeds City Council is considering an application for listed building consent which is out for consultation until June 25.