Holy Trinity Church, Leeds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holy Trinity Church, Leeds |
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Holy Trinity Church, Leeds
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| 53°47′46″N 1°32′37″W / 53.796188°N 1.543563°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| History | |
| Founded | 1727 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated: | 26 September 1963 |
| Reference #: | 1255870 |
| Architect(s) | William Etty |
| Completed | 1727 |
| Specifications | |
| Tenor bell weight | 5 cwt |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Leeds St George Team Ministry |
| Deanery | Headingley |
| Archdeaconry | Leeds |
| Diocese | Leeds |
| Province | York |
Holy Trinity Church is a historic church located on Boar Lane in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is a very special building because it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's considered an important historical site and is protected.
The church is part of the Church of England. It was built between 1722 and 1727. However, its tall, pointed roof, called a steeple, was added later in 1839. Holy Trinity Church follows the evangelical tradition within the Church of England.
Contents
History and Design of the Church
Starting the Church Project
In 1714, there was an idea to build a new church in the center of Leeds. But the plan didn't work out because not enough people offered to help pay for it.
Then, in 1722, a kind and important lady named Lady Elizabeth Hastings helped restart the project. She had the support of many leading business people in Leeds. The very first stone of the church, called the cornerstone, was laid on August 27, 1722. This was the official start of building Holy Trinity Church.
Who Designed Holy Trinity?
For a long time, people thought an architect named William Halfpenny designed the church. He was paid for his designs in 1723.
However, it was later discovered that his plans were never actually used. The real architect was William Etty from York. A letter from 1723 mentioned that Mr. Etty had drawn the church's south front. He also made a wooden model for the builders to follow. Etty was paid for this model, which was used for many years.
Changes to the Spire and Steeple
William Halfpenny's original design for the church's west tower included a square, open colonnade (a row of columns) topped with an obelisk-shaped spire (a tall, narrow, pointed structure).
William Etty, the actual architect, didn't plan for a spire. But later, a wooden spire was added by someone unknown. A writer in 1816 said this wooden spire was not what a real architect would have chosen.
In 1839, this wooden spire blew down. It was then replaced by a taller stone steeple. This new steeple had three parts that got smaller as they went up. The architect for this new stone steeple was Robert Dennis Chantrell.
Modern Use of the Church
In 2020, the church building had a big renovation. This was done to create a space for a special weekday ministry for people who work in the city center.
In 2021, St George's Church took over the responsibility for this city center work at Holy Trinity. The Revd Dr Joshua Cockayne is currently in charge of this mission. Holy Trinity works together with two other churches: St George's and St Augustine's Church, Wrangthorn.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in West Yorkshire
- Listed buildings in Leeds (City and Hunslet Ward - northern area)
