Leeds Cathedral

Leeds is one of the places where I wasn't sure if I’d been there before and, having been there, I’m pretty sure that I haven’t. It was also my base for visiting Bradford, Blackburn, and Wakefield cathedrals.

The first mention of Leeds as a place accorded in 713 when the venerable Bede mentioned it in his History of the English people. It grew slowly through the medieval and early modern period as a wool town. It grew rapidly during the industrial revolution when by 1840, the population had grown to over 150,000.

In 1893, Leeds was granted city status. Unlike most cities, Leeds doesn’t have an Anglican Cathedral. Uniquely, the diocese of Leeds has three cathedrals in Bradford, Blackburn and Wakefield.

Leeds Cathedral or the Cathedral Church of St Anne is a catholic one. The current cathedral was built in the arts & crafts style by John Henry Eastwood, a Leeds born architect, it was started in 1901 and completed in 1904.

The previous cathedral was built in 1838 but was subjected to a compulsory purchase order and its location became the headquarters of the Leeds Permanent Building Society and is now The Light complex.

The cathedral is quite small with a very beautiful centrepiece of the coronation of our Lady. Unfortunately, it was quite a dark day and I wasn’t able to take any good photos of it. I guess I’m going to have to visit again to try again.

Here are some photos of the cathedral.