Harehills ❤️ Love

Welcome to Day 23 of the 2025 Harehills Good News Advent Calendar!

If you have ever walked down Harehills Road, you can’t miss it. Standing tall against the skyline is the Church of St Augustine of Canterbury. It is a landmark we all know, but this year, the “Old Lady” of Harehills had a massive reason to celebrate.

In October, the church marked the 90th anniversary of the laying of its foundation stone. To honour the occasion, Bishop Marcus Stock came to Harehills to celebrate a special Mass, recognising the generations of families—Irish, Italian, Caribbean, African, Filipino, and Eastern European—who have called this parish home.

But this wasn’t just about looking back; it was about securing the future.

The church has received a significant financial injection thanks to a Biffa Award. For those who don’t know, these awards are highly competitive grants funded by landfill tax credits, and they are only given to buildings that serve the entire community, not just the congregation.

This funding is a game-changer. It is going towards essential upgrades—think heating, lighting, and a new kitchen—transforming a historic monument into a warm, functional hub for 2026. It means the church can continue to be a place of welcome for everyone, whether they are there for Mass or a community meeting.

A Hidden Gem of History While we are celebrating its future, it is worth remembering just how special this building is. Did you know that St Augustine’s is an architectural celebrity?

Designed by Leeds architects Gribbon, Foggitt & Brown, the church actually won the prestigious RIBA Bronze Medal in 1936 for its design. If you look closely at the red brickwork around the doors, you’ll see what architectural guides call “jazzy details”—a nod to the Art Deco style of the 1930s. Inside, it holds hidden treasures like the stunning mosaic of the Risen Christ by Roy Lewis, which was shipped all the way from Italy in numbered squares!

It is rare to have award-winning architecture right on your doorstep. Thanks to this year’s funding, we know it will be standing proud for the next 90 years.

Read more:

• St Augustine’s History: https://taking-stock.org.uk/building/leeds-st-augustine-of-canterbury/
• Diocese of Leeds News: https://www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/at-90-st-augustines-gets-a-bishops-visit-and-a-big-boost-from-biffa-award/