Choral Vespers from Leeds Cathedral Wed, 13th Feb 2019 [L]

[Braunschlag]

Was the 'major closure' the one that was preceded by sending round a DVD to the parishes affected? Local Catholics still remember that with a shudder.

I don’t really know but that would make sense. St Patrick’s Leeds preceded that wave I think, Mount St Mary’s was simply abandoned and still remains forlorn and neglected.

[mopsus]

I don’t really know but that would make sense. St Patrick’s Leeds preceded that wave I think, Mount St Mary’s was simply abandoned and still remains forlorn and neglected.

It happened under Bishop Arthur Roche.

The Catholic Church had a wave of church-building in the 60s, in particular on new housing estates, in an optimistic expectation that the numbers of worshippers would hold up or increase. There's an example here in Bath, St Joseph's, a large building which opened in 1969 and was probably never filled by its regular congregation, as Giles Gilbert Scott's neo-Romanesque Our Lady and St Alphege was not that far away and visually much more appealing. St Joseph's was prone to vandalism and expensive to keep in good repair. As part of a 'deanery strategy' its main Mass was moved to Saturday evening and after a rapid turnover of priests a couple of years ago it closed. I expect there are many similar stories around the country.

[Braunschlag]

It happened under Bishop Arthur Roche.

The Catholic Church had a wave of church-building in the 60s, in particular on new housing estates, in an optimistic expectation that the numbers of worshippers would hold up or increase. There's an example here in Bath, St Joseph's, a large building which opened in 1969 and was probably never filled by its regular congregation, as Giles Gilbert Scott's neo-Romanesque Our Lady and St Alphege was not that far away and visually much more appealing. St Joseph's was prone to vandalism and expensive to keep in good repair. As part of a 'deanery strategy' its main Mass was moved to Saturday evening and after a rapid turnover of priests a couple of years ago it closed. I expect there are many similar stories around the country.

Thanks for that - it makes sense particularly with regard to St Patrick’s Leeds. It served the community prior to Quarry Hill flats and previous housing until it was all demolished to make room for the new and hideous NHS HQ. A new church and school were built thereafter.
Mount St Mary’s was simply abandoned due to dwindling congregations and the exodus of the Oblates of Immaculate Mary. It was then deconsecrated which effectively put an end to sacred use and is a pitiful sight although it’s difficult to see now as new school buildings obscure the view.
St Mary’s East Parade Bradford is still a maintained building as they use it as some sort of store and its in good condition. It’s situation in the predominantly Asian area of Lumb/Manningham Lane made closure pretty much a foregone conclusion.