SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

I admit that i'm not a church goer but did go to Sunday School at Wesley Road Church/ Chapel (Armley) when it used to be a PROPER church. Why do they pull them down and shove a brick building in their place? Surely there should be a law against it. And does anyone have any pics of it?

there is a law against it Carrotol as long as it is listed. Most went before they became listed and most that have gone since are usually converted into flats or occasionally temples for other religions e.g. mosques.I think there are 2 major reasons. Firstly increased maintenance costs. Smaller brick buildings with clay tiles on the roof are easier to maintain than the tall gothic churches with slate roof tiles and lead roofs (if the lead stayed). Secondly declining congregations, having the two fold effect of needing less space and resulting in smaller collections.I haven't noticed the big church on the Armley skyline recently. Has this gone?

Do you mean St Bartholomews? That is still there. Other side of Wesley Road to the one I was talking about

rings a bell. Other than perhaps the jail I don't think anything else dominated the Armley/Wortley skyline, especially from Middleton ring road up by the water tower and Beeston overlooking Eland Road

Sandford Methodist has recently gone to meet its spiritual maker.Arry lives nearby and will have more details as to what will replace it.Shame they had to remove Leanne Tiernan's memorial garden to Bramley Trinity when Sanny church went, but at least it won't be vandalised by the local chavs anymore.

Trinity Church, Woodhouse Lane near the university.Not exactly a lost church, as it's still there, but no longer used as a church. It's now a nightclub & bar, Halo & Quilted Lama. Never been, anyone know how much has been changed inside? Photo from Leodis shows the outside in 1999

Anyone know what happened to the Methodist chapel in Coltonnear Whitkirk.Was over there a while back and the whole area is not what is was when I was a lad.

From Leodis:View of Armley Congregational Church in Hall Lane. On an O.S. map for 1986 it was recorded as the Armley United Reformed Church. A national split within the Methodist community meant the formation of splinter groups. The Methodist New Connexion in Armley was one of these and they were responsible for building two new chapels, this one in Hall Lane and the Bethseda Chapel in Theaker Lane. The foundation stone was laid on Saturday 30th January 1897 and the church opened its doors on 12th March 1898. The Rev.W.L.Tonge was in residence here at the time the church opened. The church is constructed in brick with stone dressings and housed an organ gifted by Joseph Hepworth, Esq. J.P. of Headingley House. It originally had a spire erected on the square structure to the right. An early picture of the church and more information can be found in 'Armley Through the Camera' by T.Kirby. The church has been converted into residential flats in recent years. On a more personal note, my son has one of these flats now!!

on the same church, the tower was removed in the 30's due to it becoming unsafe!Piccie of it courtesy of YEP and leodis

Another long gone church from the Armley area..2nd March 1918 View of Upper Armley Christ Church Men's Institute in Armley Ridge Road. It is a delapidated building with a many-paned lean-to glasshouse. In later years it became known as Primrose Hall and eventually, Upstairs Downstairs Nightclub.