ST. BARTHOLOMEW`S CHURCH WITH ST. MARY OF BETHANY

Diocese of West Yorkshire & the Dales
ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH
WITH ST. MARY OF BETHANY
Wesley road, ARMLEY
Leeds LS12 1SR
PARISH PROFILE
for the post of
Priest-in-Charge
and Urban officer
for the Leeds Episcopal
Area.
January, 2016
INTRODUCTION
St Bartholomew’s is the long
established parish church of
Armley. This highly significant
church is a major landmark in
Leeds, visible on a hill for miles
around. The church has a long
history
of
mission
and
community engagement. We
are proud of our Anglo-Catholic
tradition, which is of the utmost
importance
to
our
congregation. Until 2015, we
were an ABC Parish. However,
the PCC has voted not to
petition and we are open to
change.
1
CONTENTS
Page
Title
3
Mission of the Parish
5
Our New Priest
5
6
Parish of Armley with St. Mary
1.
Census statistics
2.
Community Centres
3.
Care Homes
4.
Martha Walker Almshouses
5.
Schools
7
The Church Family
1.
The Church’s Worship
2.
Data
3.
Finance
4.
Music
8
11
The Church Buildings
1.
The Church
2.
Organ
3.
The Church Hall
4.
The Scout Headquarters
12
Accommodation for the new Priest-in-charge
14
The Proposed New Community Hall
15
Parish Officers
16
Appendix: Church & Organ Restoration, 2001-2004
9
2
MISSION OF THE PARISH
Our parish population is multi-cultural, and transient, those who have joined us from
European countries are very happy to worship and make friends with us, but some have to
move on. Some have been forcibly returned to their native, dangerous land in Africa.
We have a committed core of parishioners,
teams including Servers, Tea-ladies, Choir,
Leaders of the Scout
and
Guide
organisations, staff who run
Fund-raising events such as weekly Bingo
and Social Club, and monthly Tea Dance. In
addition to the above our Church Hall
is used on a weekly basis for other
community events including Karate
classes, dog training and weekly tea
Dances.
We are proud of our outreach to the
needy, organising a Food bank and
providing food and Clothing storage
until recently.
Our first Christmas Tree Festival, in
2013, was a great success, and we
have repeated this venture this year.
Churches Together meets monthly, for
prayer and coffee.
3
We are in contact with The Holy Family (Roman Catholic Church), The United Reform
Church, the Mosque and the Sikh Temple.
Pictured here are our friends
from the Mosque, with our
MP Rachel Reeves and
local constable, Mark, being
escorted up our formidable
church
tower
by
our
diminutive
churchwarden,
Thelma.
Our annual pilgrimage to
Walsingham is popular with
our congregation. Included
here are Jean,
churchwarden emeritus, and
Eileen, churchwarden.
We are aware that we have a lack of home visits, our dedicated church workers being
largely elderly.
Our key priority is to increase the worshipping congregation and we would expect to
negotiate with the Diocese to help us in this area. We would expect our new priest to be
committed to leading our Church into Growth and to encourage us to be mission and
outwards focused.
We would like to do ‘back to church’ which we have had until recently. We want to
develop the Sunday School, and encourage families to work with us. We would support a
midweek Mass, and a study or prayer group. We feel that the Mothers’ Union should be
given more support.
We would appreciate help from the diocese, especially children’s advisors.
4
OUR NEW PRIEST
We would welcome an active, enthusiastic, and spiritual leader, who will add to our
welcome of visitors, including our Baptism parties at our Parish Mass. The new priest
needs to be able to relate to the elderly and to the young, to have strong, pastoral skills,
one who can delegate, and build confidence in our parishioners.
As we have indicated earlier, a large percentage of our congregation are elderly, our
priest would need to be able to relate to them, but also to communicate with and
encourage young people, to “get down” to their level, possibly by introducing a monthly
“Family service” and so increase our congregation.
We need a parish priest – who will add to our welcome to visitors, at Baptisms,
Weddings, Funerals, special services such as Remembrance Day, one who is both
enthusiastic and caring, one who can empathise with our very mixed congregation.
St Bartholomew’s seeks a spiritual and active leader who has excellent interpersonal and
pastoral skills. The new priest needs to be able to relate to the wider community,
including different cultures.
We expect our next leader to be visionary and lead us forward into a new phase of
growth, numerical and spiritual. The new priest should guide us as we formulate a fresh
vision and Parish Plan for Growth, which includes the possibility of a new
church/community centre.
The parish priest would need to be involved in the local community and school, and
would have skills in school work, leading assemblies/ collective worship and would also
be a governor in the outstanding church school. A commitment to outreach and linking to
the wider community is essential. We see the benefits of our new priest also being the
urban officer for the Leeds Episcopal area.
THE PARISH OF ARMLEY WITH ST. MARY OF BETHANY
1.
Census statistics
The parish of St. Bartholomew is mainly residential and consists of approximately 11,977
households with an estimated population of 25,550 people.
Armley is an inner-city area, popular for first-time buyers, and offers much rented
accommodation, both council and privately owned.
The census shows:
In full-time work 34%, part time 12%, self-employed 5%, unemployed 9%
student 8%, retired 12%, needing home-care 7%, sick/disabled 8%,
other 5%
Types of Jobs include wholesale, retail, vehicle repairs 2,199, health &
social work 1,317, manufacturing 1,248, Education 1,098.
Living in detached housing 3%, semi-detached 9%, terraced 32%,
flat 54%, shared 2%
5
Significant black and minority ethnic groups or communities:
Asian/Asian British 1,933, Afro/Caribbean 793, Mixed 743,
Eastern European, no figure, but there is a significant number living in
high-rise flats in the New Wortley area.
2.
Community Centres
Faith Communities:
Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, Methodist Church, Muslim and Sikh Gudwara.
Secular communities:
Armley Sports’ Centre, Helping Hands, and West Leeds Working Men’s Club.
Armley Town Street is a busy, vibrant shopping area, including the St. George’s Crypt goods’
store and café. We have worked together, providing a food bank depot and distribution centre.
The library incorporates a one-stop centre, and there is still a post office and bank.
The street is in the process of regeneration.
3.
Care Homes
There is a range of care homes in the parish, which are visited periodically by the Mothers’ Union
and the Scouts.
4.
Martha Walker Almshouses
The PCC is responsible for the upkeep of the Martha Walker
Almshouses, 6 Victorian homes. A committee is appointed, including the
Priest and churchwardens, who are the Trustees of these Almshouses.
5.
Schools
Armley Primary, Castleton Primary, St. Bartholomew’s Primary, Holy Family Primary.
The previous Incumbent maintained contact, and school visits to church are regular, arranged by
priest and/or laity. Our church has particular affinity with St. Bartholomew’s Primary School,
(voluntary controlled), priest and laity are
members of the governing body. The
school, which has more than 500
children, holds at least 4 religious-based
events in church each year. It is
outstanding in its achievements. The
head teacher, Mrs. Gavin, was awarded
the OBE for services to education. One
of our churchwardens is on the board of
governors, and our priest regularly was
present at morning or afternoon
assembly. The school offers lessons in
24 languages.
A picture quiz of parts of church is available.
6
The Church Family
1.
The Church’s Worship
Our Sunday Sung Parish Mass, with sermon, is at 10:00. We use the BCP/Roman Rite, the
servers wear the chasuble, alb, stole, and girdle. We sing a variant of the Dom. Gregory Murray
setting, and use the New English Hymnal.
The sacrament is reserved.
Sunday School is during Mass, in the Centenary Chapel, from 10:00 to 10:30.
Morning Prayer is said daily, at 9:00.
In addition, we have seasonal Services, Evensongs with visiting choir, and Uniformed group
Parade Services.
Until recently, weekday Masses and Lent groups were part of our worship.
During this interregnum, the laity has conducted ‘Stations of the Cross’, the Christingle Service,
and ‘Nine Lessons & Carols’
Figures from 2015 show an average Sunday attendance of adults of 44.
Christmas communicants numbered 55, Easter, 50, Baptisms 15, Weddings 5, and funerals 8.
The average worshipping community was 55, Electoral Roll in Parish 18, outside Parish 43.
The significant age group is 60 plus.
Baptisms may be arranged during the parish Mass, or privately.
The PCC does not approve of the receiving of communion to the unconfirmed, but has
allowed this to those of different cultures for whom this is a tradition.
The PCC refuses to hold weddings between divorced people.
2.
Data
We have 2 laity who administer Communion, 3 who help with Sunday School, and volunteer
Church cleaners.
A ‘Taking Care’ Policy was adopted by PCC in 2010, and a Child Protection Officer appointed
annually.
We publish a Sunday newssheet, 50 copies, and a parish magazine each month, 110 copies.
Our website has been running since 1996: www.armley-schulze.co.uk
We have 1 person on the Deanery Committee, 1 on the Diocesan Synod, and 1 on Pastoral
Committee of the Deanery and the Diocese.
3.
Finance
The finance of the church continues to be an area of concern. Despite our best efforts to
increase, or at the very least maintain our income, and reduce our expenditure, we inevitably fail
to meet our Parish Share commitments. We are constantly looking at ways of improving our
fundraising and our recent Christmas Tree Festival realised in excess of £1,100.00. We hope to
work together with our new incumbent to maximise our fundraising and other sources of income.
4.
Music
We have a small but dedicated choir, an organist and custodian of the organ who is paid £600.00
per annum. We have 2 voluntary assistant organists.
The organ fund (restricted) is very healthy, and, where ethically allowed, contributes towards the
PCC funds.
7
The Church Buildings
1. The Church
Completed in 1877, porches, boundary walls and gates, and the choir vestry were added shortly
after as funds became available. The tower and spire, rising to a height of 57 metres, were
added in around 1903.
St.Bartholomew's is big, 57 metres long by 18 metres wide, with the main nave taking up 33 x 11
of this total area. The roof is 34
metres. Built in local sandstone, the
building is faced internally in
Ancaster. The West end boasts a
beautiful Baptistry mosaic (left) and
a font (below left) made of grey
marble, on eight red marble shafts.
Smooth pillars of Greenmoor stone
separate the main and side aisles,
leading the eye to the reredos
(below) at the east end - a structure on an alabaster
base (matching the pulpit) topped off in Caen stone from
Normandy. Mosaics and painted tiles abound. Most
woodwork, such as the choir stalls and screens, is
carved in American walnut. The style throughout is
Victorian mock-Gothic.
Centenary Chapel (above)
The church can seat up to 900 people, but about 200
seats are in place at the moment, creating
space for serving light refreshments and movement.
There are 2 toilets, one for disabled.
We have an informative exhibition area, (left) housed in
what was the Walsingham Chapel, which is under the
organ. A history of the church and the organ is
recounted and illustrated in this area.
We also have a wealth of information leaflets, and a
shopful of CDs, beakers, bookmarks and lots more.
The last quinquennial, in 2014, showed no major
problems with the church structure.
8
2.
The Organ
Not a building, but the magnificent
Armley Schulze organ, was installed in
1879, supervised by Edmund Schulze.
It is set in an imposing ornate case,
again of American walnut, blending
perfectly with the lines of the building.
The instrument comprises five organs,
and 3,600 pipes. It is known
throughout the world as being the only
one to enjoy the original voicing, to be
genuinely ‘Schulze’.
The church is extensively used for concerts, Organists’ Associations, and recordings.
At least 4 Organ recitals are held each year.
Organisations holding events in the church over the last five years are:
Royal School of Church Music
Nottingham Organists’ Association
Bolton Organists’ Association
Doncaster Organists’ Association
Newcastle Organists’ Association
Institute of British Organists
Edinburgh Organists’ Association
Organ Club of Great Britain.
American Guild of Organists - European Chapter
Organ recitals (various)
3.
The Church Hall
Purpose built in 1968, the building was
erected directly across the road from the
Church, and consists of a large hall and
stage backed by a multi-purpose room
used by the Social Club, and two smaller
rooms at the front which serve as Clergy
office and Parish office respectively.
Because
the
Hall
originally
accommodated school dinners, the
kitchen is quite large, and was fully fitted
out for that purpose.
The building has refurbished toilets, including disabled facilities and a car park. It is in fairly
good condition; the flat roofing areas need major repair, but the hall is self-financing, and is
able to contribute to PCC funds.
9
Main Hall Events, Church-run:
The Social Club, Christmas Show
Bingo, weekly
Tea Dance, monthly
Social Club, open 2
nights per week, plus
special events, such as:
Entertainment, Horse
Race, Celebrations e.g.
Burns’ Night,
St. George’s Day,
Fairs, Jumble Sales
The Mothers’ Union & PCC meet monthly, and use the Vestry in Church, as there is no
vacancy in the Hall.
Outside Regular lets include Kidstime, a nursery run 3 days per week, a Pet Dog Club,
Karate, and Sequence Dance
Hall hire includes National & Local Elections, private bookings for Birthdays,
Anniversaries and Weddings (including Moslem), on average once a month.
It was used in 2014 by a Film Crew. We are constantly turning away private bookings,
the hall being in use.
10
Rear Lounge and Bar:
St. Bartholomew’s Social Club
is a valuable asset providing
essential church funds, giving
opportunities for recreation,
social
intercourse
and
refreshment for the benefit of its
members. The Club is open to
members only, guests are
allowed, but must be signed in.
The lounge may be booked for
parties, meetings, wedding and
funeral receptions.
Parish and Clergy Offices:
Both offices are in used regularly. We have computer, internet and colour photocopy
facilities. Both offices are used for small group meetings.
4.
The Scout Headquarters
A steel framed wooden structure, an
ex Army building purchased by the
group who dismantled it and erected it
themselves, completed in 1968.
It has a main hall, a meeting-room, 2
storage rooms and a garage, and
kitchen and toilet facilities.
The 17th S.W. Scouts are affiliated to
the church.
The main hall is used by the Beavers,
Cubs, Scouts, Guides and Brownies on a regular weekly basis each meeting on separate
evenings.
The Meeting Room is used regularly for extra group activities, and for meetings.
11
Accommodation for the Priest-in-charge
Armley Vicarage stands on the site which the diocese hopes to sell, along with the surrounding
glebe land, which includes the Scout Headquarters. A new vicarage is envisaged (see Page 15)
The appointed priest-in-charge will be accommodated in the following property, situated about a
mile from the church.
12
13
OUR PROPOSED NEW COMMUNITY HALL
Planning Permission was granted 5 years
ago, subject to some fine tuning, and we
await receiving the final document of
approval from Leeds City Council.
The building is larger than the one it
replaces, incorporating a smaller hall for
use by the Scouts and Guides, an integral
garage and adjacent equipment store and
additional meeting rooms and facilities.
To take advantage of the sloping site the
building is planned as a two storey building
which appears as an upper storey "pavilion"
related to the adjacent Church and a lower
storey base or plinth. The main public areas
such as the Main Hall, Community
(meeting) rooms and Social club are positioned on the higher level and have elevated views to
the east or west.
The public foyer and reception/administration office are placed to look over and "control" the
entrance to both the Church (via the South Porch entrance) and the new Community hall.
It is intended that the external areas leading to the South porch will be remodelled to permit the
removal of external steps and a new common floor level corresponding to the Nave of the
church to be established as the finished floor level for the external landing and finished floor
level of the new building.
It is considered that the proposed remodelling of these areas and establishment of a common
floor level for both buildings will permit uninhibited access for all building users regardless of
disability thus overcoming external changes in level.
Internally, a lift will be provided for vertical circulation between floors in addition to a public stair.
The larger spaces which could otherwise dominate the appearance of the building have been
carefully placed within the plan to try to keep the overall height of the building low.
The vertical stacking of the two halls one above the other is an example of this, with the smaller
hall effectively hidden from view by the existing wall to the churchyard on the Eastern boundary.
The social club will use the new lounge which has been located to look over Wesley Road to
engage more directly with the community the building will serve. The more open aspect of this
public area is reflected on the West elevation where more glass has been introduced to reveal
the activities within and animate the facade.
Adjacent a small external terrace follows the curve of the external wall and offers a break out
space for good weather.
The new buildings will be partially financed by the sale of Glebeland, which belongs to the
diocese, on which the present Vicarage and Scout Hut stand, and is situated on the other side
of Wesley Road. The land on which the present hall stands belongs to St. Bartholomew’s
Church. The new Hall and Scout Hut will be in place before the present buildings are
demolished. Whoever develops this land will include a new Vicarage.
14
Parish Officers
CHURCH WARDENS:
Name
Address
Email
Tel No
Mrs. Thelma Collins
26 Armley Grange Avenue, Leeds LS12 3QN
[email protected]
0113 2638263
Name
Address
Email
Tel No
Mobile
Mrs. Eileen Handley
9 Mill Pond Gardens, Armley, Leeds LS12 3DE
[email protected]
0113 2639601
07545219127
PCC SECRETARY:
Name
Address
Email
Tel No
Miss Brenda Nichols
11 Nancroft Crescent, Armley, Leeds LS12 2DH
[email protected]
0113 2178034
PCC TREASURER:
Name
Address
Email
Mr. Jonathan Kaye
2 Gotts Park View, Leeds
[email protected]
0113 2636745
LS12 2QZ
PCC LAY CHAIRPERSON:
Name
Address
Email
Tel No
Mrs. Thelma Collins
26 Armley Grange Avenue, Leeds LS12 3QN
[email protected]
0113 2638263
15
APPENDIX
THE CHURCH RESTORATION, 2000-2002
It took time, and much effort, but we finally received a Heritage lottery Grant 1.4 million
pounds to restore our church and organ. Matching funding was provided by a legacy of
£400.000.00 given to the organ fund.
Throughout the Autumn of 2000, the Church gradually disappeared under a very
impressive cloak of scaffolding, stretching right up to the cross at the peak of the spire.
(So impressive in fact, that it inspired a souvenir postcard to add to our currently
available collection.) The scaffolding disappeared much later than planned due to the
extremely bad weather experienced in the Autumn and Winter of 2000/2001.
Major work on the interior of the church, including the
new lighting and heating and the provision of better
wheelchair access, was completed in April, 2002. Two
sections of scaffolding gave access to the roof angel
hammer beams for gilding, and the Chancel and
Sanctuary ceilings for repair, painting and part gilding.
Suspension columns for the new lighting were fixed in
this period. Meanwhile, at floor level, the new
heating system was installed, and broken
and cracked concrete flooring was replaced in
Yorkshire stone. Extensive masonry work was carried
out, with the accommodation of wheelchairs in mind.
Steps were removed as floors were levelled, and both
internal and external ramps were provided. A new
public address system was installed, with CD playing
facilities. For the bulk of 2001 all main church
services were transferred to the Church Hall.
Much more information in our booklet
‘St. Bartholomew’s Armley,
Restoration and Renovation’
16
THE ORGAN RESTORATION, 2003-2004
18 months after the church restoration was
completed, scaffolding was erected in the
chancel to remove most of the organ,
which was transported to Harrison &
Harrison works in Durham.
From June, 2003, several contractors were used to
provide electric points and lighting, a water supply
and humidifier.
The contractors cleaned and gently polished the
whole organ case, and the uppermost angels were
part gilded by local labour. From July onwards the
organ frame was reconstructed and the organ
returned to a new layout.
In early January 2004 the organ was ready for the
final pipe installations and for final voicing and tuning.
This was a long and laborious operation and was
only partly completed when the organ was heard
again for the first time on Sunday, 22nd February.
It was prematurely rededicated, along with the church, by the Archbishop of York on 3rd March.
The organ was officially re-launched in an extravaganza held over the weekend of Spring Bank
Holiday, 2004, a weekend which those of us who took part will never forget.
For details of the church and organ restoration, visit: www.armley-schulze.co.uk
17