The ‘School Church’

Edwardian Children on School Church steps

The fledgling church, known as Roundhay Congregational Church, or ‘the Congs’ became home to a flourishing Sunday School and a growing church community.

In autumn 1907, five years after beginning worship in the ‘School Church’ the foundation stone was for the new church was laid. And in just under a year the church was built and had its opening service in autumn 1908.

Outside the new Church

Inside the new Church

‘The Congs’ continued to grow through the 20th century, offering its distinctive reformed worship teaching of the Bible stories and preaching lessons for life on Sunday and being a focus for a wide range of community activities Monday – Saturday – a tradition that continues to this day.

Children & Youth
From the earliest days children’s and youth work has been a priority and feature of church life. Beginning with a Sunday School in Edwardian days, St Andrew’s now offers an innovative and fun children’s programme known as ‘WoRM’ Sunday by Sunday and hosts a range of children and young people’s activities with 100+ children attending our Parent/Carer Toddler Groups and over 220 children and young people enjoying our many uniformed organisations.

Birth of URC
In 1972 the local churches in the ‘Congregational Church in England and Wales voted to enter a union with the Presbyterian Church of England, and the United Reformed Church (URC) denomination was born. To mark this ‘the Congs’ chose to adopt a new first name, St Andrew’s, the name being chosen because Andrew was the first disciple to invite another to meet Jesus.

Church Refurbishment
As ‘the Congs’ sought to be a welcoming and comfortable place of worship for the 20th century, so St Andrew’s has continued this tradition for the 21st century. Having put the church bricks and mortar, roof and wiring in good order, in 2005 a major refurbishment of the church sanctuary was undertaken to give it a comfortable, warm and welcoming ‘front room’ feel. Dedicated to God at Pentecost 2005, St Andrew’s Church is fully carpeted with underfloor heating, comfortable seating and a full multi-media facility. Whilst primarily used for worship St Andrew’s hosts events from NHS conferences to concerts and community meetings to drama productions.

Redevelopment Work

Community Gardens
Continuing the enhancement of St Andrew’s, in 2008, 100 years after the sanctuary was opened St Andrew’s had a ‘Ground Force’ style make over of the grounds to create the St Andrew’s Community Garden’s. The gardens were opened for a community day at Pentecost 2008 and a fortnight later dedicated to God by Rev Dr Stephen Orchard the Moderator of the General Assembly in the presence of Cllr. Frank Robinson the Lord Mayor of Leeds, who planted a tree to mark the occasion.

St Andrew's Sensory Garden with 'Celtic Cross' path

St Andrew's Community Garden - opening celebration Pentecost 2008

Tree planting by Rev Dr Stephen Orchard, Moderator of the URC General Assembly & Cllr Frank Robinson, Lord Mayor of Leeds, Trinity Sunday 2008