IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Richmond Hill Close, LEEDS, LS9 8JU

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 http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=389969200

Fairly recent housing. The road has a residents only parking restriction.

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.

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 http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=265602590&blogID=389969200

Originally a convent church with attached High School Image The building is listed grade 2* (list entry 1255558). Built 1852 in Gothic Revival style. Architects Joseph Hansom and W Wardell. Chancel and transepts added 1866, by Edward Welby Pugin. The church closed for worship in 1989; In 1996, it was sold to Sanctuary Housing Trust for a nominal amount. Since its sale it has remained unused but the 2015 "Heritage at Risk Register" refers to a new housing development being planned for the site. See also Image