IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
The Avenue, LEEDS, LS9 8FP

A very large, 9-storey housing block. At 125 metres long I could not get far enough back to get it all in the viewfinder.

Mount Saint Mary's church opened in 1857 and was funded by the Irish Community. It stands in a district of Leeds traditionally known as the Bank. The Bank had become home to a large community of Irish Catholics who had emigrated to Leeds to seek work building canals and railways. The church was also known as the Famine Church, the original chapel was established at a time when Ireland was only beginning to recover from the Great Hunger brought on by the failure of the potato crop in successive years from 1845 to 1851. During the 1970's and 80's the congregation dwindled and the cost of keeping the church open wasn't feasible. The church closed its doors for the last time in 1989 and was de-consecrated by the Catholic church. To see many more full size pictures of my Mount St Mary's collection see here http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=389969200

The top of the steps is blocked off by the security fence around the derelict church Image

First approved in 1939 but later abandoned with the outbreak of war. Construction was once again approved by committee in 1955 and the development started in that year. The blocks were designed by the City Architect, R. A. H. Livett. Seven blocks of flats were built between 1955 and 1957 designed to accommodate up to 1791 residents in one, two and three bedroomed units. The flats were installed with the Garchy System of refuse disposal and the underground suction pipes were linked to the Refuse Disposal Station at Quarry Hill Flats. The buildings were constructed in reinforced concrete with brickwork to the external walls. Six shops and a boiler house were also constructed on the site and a play area was designed for small children. The first of the blocks to be completed was officially opened on 12th November 1957. Recently two of the tower blocks have been redesigned by architects Union North, and marketed by Urban Splash The surrounding landscaping includes allotments, wild flower meadows and an orchard.

Seen through a gate at the top of blocked steps Image See Image for the church. The building in the background is the former presbytery, which is grade 2 listed (list entry 1255559) and also appears derelict.