All Saints' Church, Leek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church, Leek |
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View from the west
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| 53°6′8″N 2°1′26″W / 53.10222°N 2.02389°W | |
| OS grid reference | SJ 985 561 |
| Location | Leek, Staffordshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Website | http://leekparish.org.uk/churches/all-saints-church/ |
| History | |
| Consecrated | 1887 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 13 April 1951 |
| Architect(s) | Norman Shaw |
| Administration | |
| Deanery | Leek Deanery |
| Diocese | Diocese of Lichfield |
All Saints' Church is a beautiful Anglican church located in Leek, Staffordshire, England. It is a very important building, listed as Grade I, which means it has special historical or architectural value. The church was designed by a famous architect named Norman Shaw and built between 1885 and 1887. Inside, you can see amazing stained glass windows made by a well-known company called Morris & Co..
Contents
A Look Back in Time: The Church's History
Before All Saints' Church was built, there was a smaller brick church in the Compton area of Leek. It opened in 1863 and was sometimes called Compton Schoolchurch. This earlier church was made bigger in 1885.
A local lawyer from Leek, Joseph Challinor, was very generous. He gave some land for the new church and paid for almost a third of the building costs! The church was designed by Norman Shaw, who was a well-known architect. He had already worked in the area, designing another church nearby in the 1860s.
The very first stone of All Saints' Church was laid in 1885. The church was officially ready and blessed in 1887.
Exploring the Church's Design
All Saints' Church has a large tower right in the middle, where the main parts of the church meet. This is called a crossing tower. The church also has a wide main area for people to sit, known as the nave.
Because the church is built on a sloped piece of land, the vestry (a room where clergy prepare) is actually underneath the chancel (the part of the church near the altar). There's also a deep entrance area, or porch, on the north-west side, with a wide opening.
Inside All Saints' Church
When you step inside, one of the most striking features is the stained glass. Much of it was created by Morris & Co., a famous company known for its beautiful designs. Some of these windows were even designed by Edward Burne-Jones, a very talented artist.
The window on the south wall of the Lady Chapel (a special area often dedicated to the Virgin Mary) and all the painted decorations in the chancel were done by another artist named Gerald Horsley.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Staffordshire
- Listed buildings in Leek, Staffordshire
