The Ecclesiological Society 2021 Conference with support from Leeds Civic Trust

Leeds Minster – formerly the parish church of St Peter – was rebuilt in 1837-41. It was the largest new church since St Paul’s and ‘as grand as any cathedral’. It is also the most important church erected in England around 1840, at that heady moment when Anglicanism was moving in a Higher direction thanks to the Tractarians, and Gothic authenticity was being promoted energetically by the Cambridge Camden Society. And it remains almost entirely unchanged. However, its importance goes beyond its architecture; it had profound liturgical influence by promoting an alternative to Georgian auditory worship and here, probably for the first time outside the cathedrals, was a robed choir placed in the chancel. The project was led by the new vicar, the dynamic Dr W.F. Hook, and Anglicans across the country watched with anticipation, seeing this as the first serious attempt by the Church of England to reassert itself in an industrial town and challenge the worrying spread of Nonconformity. All these themes are included in the day’s programme.

It is intended that the conference will be available as both a ‘live’, conventional event in the Minster and also as a Zoom event for those who would like to join from home. Current government regulations suggest the live option will be entirely feasible. Certainly, it is the organisers’ intention that the live option will be available. However, in the event that new government restrictions remove the live option, the event will still take place, but solely as a Zoom event.

All those ‘attending’ will receive by post a complimentary copy of the day’s proceedings. This will be a high quality, full colour publication of around 200 pages.

The cost of the event will be £25 regardless of the means of attendance. For those choosing the ‘live’ option, the conference fee will include teas coffees and cakes.

Details of speakers, programme and booking may be found via this link or search ‘The Ecclesiological Society’ on Eventbrite.