SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

The following are from John Mayhall’s ‘Annals of Yorkshire’ vol 1, published in 1861.September 3 1839. “The foundation stone of East Parade chapel, Leeds, for the congregation that had many years worshipped in Salem chapel, was laid by the Rev. John Ely, assisted by the late Mr. Baines. It is a beautiful stone edifice situated in East Parade. It was opened in January, 1841, and was erected from designs by Messrs. Moffat and Hurst. The style of architecture is the Grecian Doric Order, having a lofty front entrance, with six elegant pillars. The interior is neat, and has two galleries, one above the other. It contains an excellent organ: the schools, vestries, &c, are under the building. The Rev. H. R. Reynolds, B.A., is minister”.This is a link is to an undated exterior view (in the Leodis website) of the chapel:- http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... Y=FULLThis is a link is to an undated interior view (in the Leodis website) of the chapel:- http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?reso ... LAY=FULLIn information with those images it states the chapel closed on July 23 1899 and was soon demolished. I wonder why it had such a relatively short life? I wonder if the underground area is still there?September 3 1853. “Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe from the United States of America, the authoress of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” paid a short visit to Leeds, previous to departing for America. She was the guest of Edward Baines, Esq. of Headingley, at whose house a testimonial from the ladies of Leeds, together with an address from the Leeds Anti-Slavery Association was presented to her” (there was more following in the report). This Edward Baines will likely be the son of Edward Baines mentioned in the first item, with the former living 1800-1890 and the latter 1774-1848 (both are notably connected with Leeds).    

The reason for the chapel's demolition would seem to be money, together with the seepage of communicants to the outskirts of Leeds. After the sale of the church , to The North British & Mercentile Insurance Co for £31,000, the communicants worshiped in a tin chapel awaitiing the building of a new chapel in woodhouse lane. Rev Lemoine, the pastor, decided shortly after the sale to go on a tour of the states, and resigned his post. from a report slightly later he took up a post in Ohio.The story of the church is given (hope it doesn't come too small) at

Thanks for that interesting information chemimike, which is appreciated.

LeodianThe link did not seem to work.When i post the [IMG]link it comes up too small, so if you want to read go to http://s431.photobucket.com/albums/qq38 ... 318992.jpg and it is the Leeds mercury 22.3.1899, the first on the page

Thanks for your help chemimike but unfortunately the text in the news report is too small for me to read (even on enlarging). I hope it's not my eyesight that cannot manage it!     

Still seems very small I'm afraid.

Have divided in two. Here is part 1

and here is part 2

Cheers chemimike. The text is quite readable. I particularly liked this in the second bit:-"...Mr. F. R. Spark offered £17,250 for the premises, but a clause in the deed, forbidding the use of a steam engine on the site, caused the negotiations to come to an end...The reserve price of £31,000 was fixed, and one of the conditions of sale was that the site of the property or any portion of it shall not be used for a theatre, music-hall, or other place of public amusement, or for the manufacture, storage, or sale of intoxicating liquor". I wonder why a steam engine could not be used?

Maybe they thought it might be used to make liquor ie in a brewery. Can't think of any other reason