St. Mary Magdalene, East Keswick, Leeds

Description

East Keswick is an attractive small village of around 1200 residents with a history dating back before the Domesday Survey. There was no Anglican church until 1857 when the St Mary Magdalene was opened as a Chapel of Ease for the Parish Church in Harewood three and a half miles away. When that church closed in 1978 St Mary Magdalene joined the parish of All Hallows in Bardsey. Now both churches are engaged in the A Rocha Eco Church project and have achieved silver awards.

St Mary Magdalene is built in a simple Victorian gothic style with a small bell tower now housing three bells. Victorian stained glass in the east window depicts scenes from the life of Mary Magdalene and on most of the oak furniture, can be found the trademark carved mice of Thompson’s of Kilburn. The lych-gate, erected in memory of those who died in WW1, gives access to the church porch and a path leading to the south facing churchyard.

The building and the churchyard provide a peaceful haven near the centre of the village. The interior is an inviting space for reflection and prayer, or just a quiet place to be. There is also a small selection of books for anyone with time to linger. Young pilgrims may enjoy the craft table as well as seeking out the carved mice.

Outside a south facing terrace has benches overlooking the graveyard and countryside beyond offering opportunities for remembrance and reflection. The churchyard is being managed to increase biodiversity with grasses and flowering plants in an unmown area attracting small invertebrates. Plants are being introduced which have been grown by the local Wildlife Trust from seed collected locally. Birds and insects will also benefit from the small orchard being developed in the lower eastern border. A selection of rare Yorkshire varieties of apple trees are reminder of a more diverse natural world.

The church is open from 10 am to 4 pm every day. There is a service most Sunday mornings and weekday service is usually held at 11 am on the first Wednesday of the month. For more information on service times see the website www.bardseyekparish.com or email the parish office bardseyparishchur@btinternet.com. The churchyard is always open.

Location

Moor Lane, East Keswick, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS17 9ES, United Kingdom

Directions

Grid reference: SE 35920 44434

By car. East Keswick can be approached north from Leeds via the A58, or from the A1 via the A659 signposted Harewood. The church is a short distance from Main Street along Moor Lane.

By bus: The X99 bus between Leeds and Wetherby runs though East Keswick every hour. Alight at the Moor Lane bus stop in the centre of the village. The church is about 150 yards along Moor Lane
.
On foot: We are on or near the route of several walking trails: the Ebor Valley Way, the Wharfe Valley and Harewood Circular and the Leeds Country Way.
There are also cycle routes in the area.

St Mary Magdalene is under 2 miles away from its parish church of All Hallows in Bardsey, another Small Pilgrim Place.

Facilities

The church is accessible for wheel chairs.
The toilet is outside to the rear of the church accessed by a gravel path. There is a shallow step to the door.
The churchyard is accessible by a path from the front of the church and a gate on the western boundary. The grassed area is uneven in places.
There are steps to the terrace.
There are two pubs in the village, the Old star and the Duke of Wellington. Meals are available at the Duke, but check in advance. Tea/coffee and biscuits can be provided in the church with prior notice.

Accommodation can be found in Wetherby and the surrounding area.

Small groups would be welcome

Hospitaller/Contact Person

Parish Administrator,
Parish Office
Callister Hall
Woodacre Lane
Bardsey
LEEDS
LS17 9DG

Tel: 01937 574273

Email:

Web Link

https://www.bardseyekparish.com

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