Holy Trinity Church in Leeds is a testament to the 18th century Baroque architecture which nowadays is hard to find in the city. The Grade I listed building is a cherished Leeds landmark that’s teeming with an abundance of history, but not everyone knows the full extent of the church’s interesting past. From devastating natural disasters to failed architects, Holy Trinity Church has its fair share of stories to tell.
Background on Holy Trinity
In 1722, Lady Elizabeth Hasting of Ledston along with the leading merchants of the area led the charge to fund the construction of a chapel. It was only in 1885 that the church became a parish in its own right. Over the years, Holy Trinity Church has experienced a fair amount of damages and subsequent refurbishments, including a devastating hurricane that hit the city in 1839 and destroyed parts of the church.
What can you do at Holy Trinity Church?
Not to be mistaken with the Holy Trinity Church in Rothwell Leeds, throughout the week, Holy Trinity Boar Lane runs several sermons, bible workshops and after-work worship. Besides these events, it also welcomes the popular Candlelight concert series and various art exhibitions every now and then. In 2022, the church hosted another notable event, namely the famous Gaia installation – a spherical structure with detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface.
What famous person is buried at Holy Trinity Church?
Holy Trinity Boar Lane does not have any widely recognised people buried there. However, the inventor of the rack railway system John Blenkinsop was buried at the homonymous church in the town of Rothwell.
What is Leeds Trinity known for?
The Holy Trinity Church Leeds gigs and charity events are well-known in the community, including choir sessions where donations go to causes that need them the most. Certainly, the church has also been an important venue for musical and artistic life to thrive in the city. Live music concerts, art exhibits and even circus performances have taken place at this iconic building ever since it first opened in the early 1700s.
Why is there a horse in Leeds Trinity?
Although the church itself is not blessed with a horse sculpture, the popular Trinity Leeds shopping centre is! Created by Scottish artist Andy Scott, Equus Altus is an ode to the history of the wool and textile industry of Leeds, when horses were used to carry cloth and other goods. Still, there is a slight connection because the centre was named after Leeds’ Holy Trinity Church.
Holy Trinity Church is located on Boar Lane, Leeds LS1 6HW. It is just a four-minute walk from Leeds railway station, and the buses 140 and 446 pass by the iconic Leeds landmark every five to ten minutes. Besides snapping a few photos of the gorgeous landmark, the church is surrounded by some of the city’s most culturally-significant spots including the Royal Armouries Museum and Leeds Art Gallery that you can see on your next visit.
In addition to religious proceedings and artistic events, Holy Trinity Church has also provided the perfect backdrop for Candlelight’s diverse tribute concerts. Other than the variety of programmes, there are plenty of reasons why these performances are worth seeing. Although there are currently no Candlelight concerts taking place at the church, there are a number of top-notch venues in Leeds that are hosting these magical musical experiences.