About Us and a Short History of the Church
One hundred and ninety years ago St. John's Church was built for the expanding community of Roundhay. Over time, the
church and the attached graveyards became an integral part of the area.
In 2007, due to dwindling numbers, the congregation was forced to move. St. John's was subsequently sold in 2010 and it became the responsibility of the new owners. Since then, the church property has fallen into disrepair which has distressed its neighbours, families who have experienced the circle of life at St. John's, people who have loved ones who are buried in the graveyards, historians and those interested in genealogy. It is within this context that the Friends of Roundhay St. John's Church was formed in early 2014. Meetings were held and work parties formed to tidy the north churchyard (opened 1932). Through generous donations, rubbish and brush were cleared from the driveway and the curtilage of the church and we have been able to purchase a lawnmower, a strimmer, weedkiller and various other pieces of landscaping equipment. Parts of the wall in the north yard, which had collapsed in places, were repaired and a few of the headstones have been reerected. The circular garden at the top of the driveway, which was badly overgrown, has been neatly planted with flowers and bulbs and finished off with an attractive kerb. The Friends have planted many flowers and bulbs in the north yard, the grass is cut and the monuments are clearly visible. The north yard is once again becoming a peaceful and attractive place in keeping with its purpose. Water for grave flowers is available from a tap at the top of the driveway next to the south yard.
In early 2015 the Friends initiated work on the south yard making a line of sight from the gate to the west door with the remainder cleared in the winter of 2015/16 by a company employed by the current owners.
The Friends are members of the National Federation of Cemetery Friends and remain dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the St. John's property which is a treasure of local and national importance..
We are proud of what we have accomplished in a comparatively short time but St. John's Church still remains on the Leeds Buildings at Risk registry.
For a more in-depth history of Roundhay St. John's click on the link below. (Please understand that Oakwood Church is not linked to the Friends of Roundhay St. John's and our views are not necessarily those of Oakwood Church).
www.oakwoodchurch.info/roundhaystjohn.html
Roundhay St. John's has three bells. Click on the video below to hear them.
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Published on Sep 1, 2012. Possibly the last ringing on this Samuel Smith ring of three, in a fast-decaying church in Leeds. The bells themselves are in good condition, on modern fittings and with fairly new ropes. Until the closure of the church as an Anglican one they were rung regularly.
**Please note that this building is in a very poor state of repair and may be dangerous!**
The church is now owned by the Pentecostal Church, who needed a place to meet and bought it for very little, agreeing to maintain the building in reasonable repair. Quite clearly this hasn't happened - there are several holes in the roof and there's only a plastic sheet covering the the porch. Water can be heard dripping into the roof space and the carpets inside are sodden. Water ingress has caused the organ - rebuilt only a few years ago - to rot and collapse. It is extremely sad to see what is a rather nice building (albeit fairly typical for its time) in such a disgraceful state of neglect. It must be so upsetting for people who worshipped here in times gone by and for those whose loved ones are buried in the large churchyard. I do hope that the building can be saved before it falls down. If not, that the bells, windows and unique war memorial can be salvaged and used elsewhere.
**Please note that this building is in a very poor state of repair and may be dangerous!**
The church is now owned by the Pentecostal Church, who needed a place to meet and bought it for very little, agreeing to maintain the building in reasonable repair. Quite clearly this hasn't happened - there are several holes in the roof and there's only a plastic sheet covering the the porch. Water can be heard dripping into the roof space and the carpets inside are sodden. Water ingress has caused the organ - rebuilt only a few years ago - to rot and collapse. It is extremely sad to see what is a rather nice building (albeit fairly typical for its time) in such a disgraceful state of neglect. It must be so upsetting for people who worshipped here in times gone by and for those whose loved ones are buried in the large churchyard. I do hope that the building can be saved before it falls down. If not, that the bells, windows and unique war memorial can be salvaged and used elsewhere.