All Saints' Church, Barwick-in-Elmet facts for kids

Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church
Church of All Saints'
Location	Barwick-in-Elmet, West Yorkshire
Country	England
Denomination	Church of England
History
Status	Parish Church
Architecture
Heritage designation	Grade II* listed building
Specifications
Materials	Dressed limestone with Welsh slate roof
Administration
Parish	Barwick-in-Elmet and Scholes
Archdeaconry	Leeds
Diocese	Leeds
Province	York

All Saints' Church is a historic church located in Barwick-in-Elmet, a village in West Yorkshire, England. It is an active Anglican church, which means it belongs to the Church of England. It serves as a local parish church for the community.

History of All Saints' Church

This church has parts that are very old, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon and Norman times. These periods were many hundreds of years ago! The main part of the church, called the chancel, was built in the 1300s. The side sections, known as aisles, and the tall tower were added in the 1400s.

Changes Over the Years

• In the early 1800s, a small room called a vestry was added. This room is often used by the clergy to prepare for services.
• Between 1844 and 1855, the church was carefully restored. This work was overseen by a famous architect named Sir G. Gilbert Scott.
• Later, in 1869, new decorative tops called parapets and pinnacles were added to the church.
• Because of its historical importance, All Saints' Church was given a special heritage status on July 22, 1986. It is now a Grade II* listed building, meaning it's a very important historic place.

Architectural Style and Features

All Saints' Church is built in a style known as Perpendicular Gothic. This style was popular in England during the late Middle Ages.

Outside the Church

The 15th-century tower

The 16th-century south porch

The church still has parts from the Anglo-Saxon and Norman periods. The chancel, built in the 1300s, is the oldest section. There's also a south porch, which is like a covered entrance, from the 1500s.

The tower has two main levels and features a large red clock face. It also has a window with two lights (sections) for the bells. On the west side of the church, you can see a sculpture of Sir Henry Vavasour, who was a generous supporter of the church. The church stands on a raised area with a lawn, which includes a small cemetery.

Inside the Church

Interior of the church

Inside, you'll find a unique hexagonal (six-sided) oak pulpit from the Georgian era. A pulpit is where the preacher stands to give sermons. There's also a beautifully carved reading desk and pews from the 1800s where people sit.

The church has several stunning stained glass windows.

• The east window in the north aisle, installed in 1858, honors the Gascoigne family. It features their family symbols and images of knights.
• The chancel has a Norman window with very deep, sloped sides.
• Both the chancel and the nave (the main part of the church where the congregation sits) have a special type of roof called a hammer-beamed roof, which was added in the 1800s.

The Parish of Barwick and Elmet and Scholes

All Saints' Church is the larger of two churches in its local area, known as the Parish of Barwick and Elmet and Scholes. The other church in this parish is St. Philip's, located in Scholes.

See also

• List of places of worship in the City of Leeds
• Grade II* listed buildings in Leeds
• Listed buildings in Barwick in Elmet and Scholes