St Stephen's Church, Kirkstall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Stephen's Church, Kirkstall |
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St. Stephen's Church, Kirkstall
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| 53°49′05″N 1°35′54″W / 53.8180°N 1.5984°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Churchmanship | Broad Church |
| Website | St Stephen's, Kirkstall |
| History | |
| Dedication | St. Stephen |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Kirkstall, Leeds |
| Diocese | Leeds |
| Province | York |
St. Stephen's Church is a special church in Kirkstall, Leeds, England. It belongs to the Church of England, which is the main Christian church in England. This church is so important that it was made a 'Grade II listed building' on August 5, 1976. This means it's a historic building that needs to be protected!
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Where is St. Stephen's Church?
The church is located on Morris Lane in Kirkstall. It sits on high ground, giving it a great view over the famous Kirkstall Abbey.
When was St. Stephen's Church Built?
The building of St. Stephen's Church started in 1828. It was finished and opened in 1829. The church was designed by a skilled architect named Robert Dennis Chantrell. He also designed the important Leeds Parish Church.
Over the years, the church has been updated.
- Between 1863 and 1864, architects Perkin and Backhouse from Leeds worked to restore and make the church bigger.
- More changes were made in 1874 by Henry Walker.
What Does the Church Look Like?
St. Stephen's Church is built in a style called 'Gothic Revival'. This means it looks like older churches from the Gothic period, but it was built much later.
Outside the Church
The church is made from a strong, rough stone called 'hammer-dressed gritstone ashlar'. It has a roof made of slate.
- The main part of the church, called the nave, has five tall, narrow windows. These are known as lancet windows.
- There is a tall tower at the west end of the church. It has three sections and a spire, which is a pointy top, and a clock.
Inside the Church
Inside, the nave has six sections. The chancel, which is the area near the altar, was originally two sections long but was later made into three.
- There is a wooden screen behind the altar called a reredos. It has carvings of saints.
- You can also see a beautifully carved square wooden pulpit, where sermons are given.
- The large window at the east end shows a picture of Christ in Glory. On either side of him are St. Stephen and St. Paul.
- Many of the detailed carvings inside, like the heads above doorways and the font (where baptisms happen), were made in 1864 by artists Burstall and Taylor from Leeds.
St. Stephen's Church Hall
The church also has a separate hall. This hall was built in the middle of the 1900s and has a curved, barrel-shaped roof. This hall is not a listed building.
