All Souls Church, Leeds

All Souls' Church, located on Blackman Lane in Leeds, stands as a monumental tribute to the Victorian architectural style and the Anglo-Catholic worship tradition within the Church of England. This Grade II* listed building not only serves as a place of worship but also commemorates Dr. W. F. Hook, a former Vicar of Leeds and Dean of Chichester. His dedication led to the church's foundation in the historically impoverished Leylands district.

The church was the final project designed by the renowned Sir George Gilbert Scott before he died in 1878. His son, John Oldrid Scott, continued his father's work by overseeing the construction. The foundation stone was laid in September 1876, and the church was consecrated on January 29, 1880.

Architecturally, All Souls' Church is notable for its simplistic yet grand design, measuring 134 feet in length. It features aisles along both the nave and chancel, a southwest porch, and a baptistery beneath the northwest tower. The structure showcases Southowram stone with Meanwood dressings on the exterior and Harehills stone inside. Park Spring stone forms the supports for the nave arcades, while the interior walls are finished in ashlar stonework.

Inside the church, the wooden font cover, elaborately decorated by artist Emily Ford, features biblical scenes with characters bearing the faces of her friends and fellow campaigners, a testament to her gratitude for her adult baptism. This piece was restored in 2013 with funds raised by the West Yorkshire branch of the Victorian Society.

Another notable feature is the great rood cross above the choir, crafted by John Francis Kavanagh, which depicts "Christ Triumphant on the Cross" and serves as a memorial to Cecil, Walter Hook's son and the first priest of All Souls'.

The church's organ, originally built in 1877 by Abbott and Smith, has seen several restorations, the most recent being in 1997 by John T Jackson. The ornate organ case was designed by A. Crawford Hick, adding to the church's rich aesthetic and historical value.