St Mary's Church, Whitkirk

St Mary's Church is a church in Whitkirk featuring a west tower with diagonal buttresses, carved obelisk pinnacles, and a lead-clad spire mounted above a heavy nave flanked by aisle parapets. The interior maintains medieval roots while displaying architectural elements from multiple periods of renovation.

The original church was founded in 1185, though the current structure dates to the 15th century when it received its substantial form. Major restoration work took place between 1855 and 1856, followed by a chancel reconstruction in 1901 carried out by architect G.F. Bodley.

The church holds an annual Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House Long Gallery to mark the 1922 transfer of the estate to Leeds Corporation. This tradition ties the building to a pivotal moment when the surrounding area changed hands.

The church streams its Sunday services live at 10:00 AM, allowing people to participate in worship from a distance if they cannot visit in person. This makes the congregation accessible to those with mobility challenges or conflicting schedules.

The church contains a 12th-century font carved from a single block of magnesium limestone sourced from the same quarry that supplied stone for York Minster. This shared origin connects the building to one of England's most important medieval structures.

Location: Leeds

Inception: 15 century

Website: https://whitkirkchurch.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 53.79730,-1.44970

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:01