St Leonard's Church Wortley
St Leonard's Church, Wortley Village, Halifax Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S35 7DB
The imposing church of St Leonard in Wortley village was built around 1753 but has been altered and improved over the hundreds of years it has been in use. It serves a rural community covering around 35 square miles.
The church contains interesting memorials providing historic information about the history of the Wortley family and those who lived and worked in the village. The Chancel monuments include the Flaxman memorial to Margaret Mackenzie, wife of the Honourable James Stuart Wortley Mackenzie. It is thought to date from 1808 and is a very fine example of the work of John Flaxman RA. Another of Flaxman's work is high above the choir stalls to John Stuart Wortley.The Nave and Chancel contain stained glass windows from the 1600's to the 1900's including one containing Norman slab glass, an operational pipe organ dating from 1820, 3 hatchments and 2 doors by Robert (Mouseman) Thompson.
The Church tower will be open for guided tours on Saturday 7th September to see the working 1893 turret clock by Potts of Leeds and the ring of 8 change ringing bells by John Warner & Sons also from 1893.
The churchyard has graves dating back to the mid 1600s. A broken gravestone which has been the subject of interest and legend is that on the family grave of William Nevison who died in 1724. Legend has it this is the grave of Dick Turpin, but this has no basis in fact. John Nevison was the famous highwayman Swift Nick.
Timings & Tours
- Saturday 07 September:
- 1030-1600
- Wednesday 11 September:
- 1030-1600
Location & directions
St Leonard's Church, Wortley Village, Halifax Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S35 7DB
- Directions:
- St Leonard's Church is at the centre of Wortley village adjacent to the A629 and opposite The Wortley Arms public house.
- Contact on day:
- Andrew Beevers
- Telephone number:
- +447733005526
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The church is accessible for wheelchairs throughout the ground floor area. The guided tower tours on 7th September are not accessible to wheelchairs or those who cannot climb ladders, children must be accompanied by a parent or carer. There are stone paths through the upper churchyard. The lower churchyard extension is a grassed area with uneven ground.
Additional information
St Leonard's is an Anglican Church and forms part of the United Benefice of Tankersley, Thurgoland and Wortley within the Diocese of Sheffield. The church does not have a car park but car parking is available on street nearby. The church is open on 2 days for Heritage Open Days but the tower tours are only on Saturday 7th September.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 6
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 20 minute(s)
