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Description:
Undated.
View of the old St. Michael's Church showing the graveyard in front. This was the second place of worship on the site, dating from 1838 to 1885. The original, built around 1626-7 on land believed to have been donated by Sir John Savile, first Alderman of Leeds, was a chapel of Leeds Parish Church. By 1836 the chapel accommodation was insufficient for the growing population and a new church containing 600 seats was proposed, the first stone being laid on 1st March 1837 and consecration by the Bishop of Ripon taking place on 31st January 1838. It soon became evident that this church was also unable to cope with the rapidly expanding congregation and it closed on 2nd March 1885 for a new church to be built on the site. Despite much opposition due to the necessity to disturb a number of the graves, the building went ahead and the present St. Michael's Church was consecrated.
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