Heritage Open Days

St Mary’s Church
This weekend

Whitkirk is a place with plenty of history, and we’re once again thrilled to open our doors to share it with everybody as part of Heritage Open Days. Come along and listen to a talk on how the Church and the nearby Temple Newsam House have their histories intertwined, see some rare photographs, view our collection of stunning embroideries, and get a good look at some of our centuries-old architecture.

Either join us on Friday at 6.00 pm for our lecture (more details below), or pop along over the weekend to look around in your own time.

Saturday 11 September from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm
Sunday 12 September from 2.00 pm until 4.00 pm

The Country House and the Parish Church

St Mary’s Church
This Friday 10 September, 6.00 pm

To mark the start of this year’s Heritage Open Days, we’ll be hosting a presentation by James Lomax, the former curator of Temple Newsam House.

This event is already starting to fill up, so if you’d like to join us make sure you book either online or by speaking to a steward.

Thank God It’s Friday

Whitkirk Community Centre
This Friday 10 September, 6.00 pm

A space away from the working week, a chance to unwind and meet with other people. Our Community Centre is open, the bar is available to get a drink, we’ve supplied some takeaway menus if you fancy getting something delivered, and there are no plans for the evening other than having a place to relax and be yourself.

You’re even welcome to grab a drink before the Heritage lecture, or come over when the talk is finished to continue the conversation.

Smiles are back at Whitkirk

We’re no longer asking people to wear face masks whilst in our church building.

If you’d prefer to continue wearing a mask you are still welcome to, and we encourage everyone to be respectful of other people who might wish to keep their distance. You’ll still need to sanitise your hands as you enter the building, avoid handshakes during the Peace, and communion remains bread only for the time being.

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, remember that you must still self-isolate and get a PCR test. As always, we will continue to stream all our services live on our website and YouTube channel, as well as making them available to listen to later by phone or podcast.

We are still keeping a close eye on things such as infection rates, and may make other changes to our rules in the future.

The YCCN Relay in Leeds

Friday 17 to Saturday 18 September

The Young Christian Climate Network is taking part in a relay walk from St Ives in Cornwall up to Glasgow in time for the COP26 climate conference. They are travelling, praying, and advocating for climate justice.

If you’d like to join the walk as it heads from Birstall, through Leeds City Centre and on to Aberford – even for a short part – head to their website to find out more.

Prayer in the Square

Leeds City Square
Friday 17 September, 4.30 pm

Coinciding with the YCCN Relay, join with Christians from many different churches as we pray publicly for the Climate Emergency and the success of the COP26 climate conference.

Join us after the service for refreshments

You are warmly invited to join us after the service for refreshments in our Community Centre.


The Church family

For your prayers

The sick

  • Pat Hyde
  • Beryl Laverick
  • Ginny Camponi
  • Tom Heaphy
  • Alan and Mavis Cross
  • Christine Oates
  • Thomas Hadley
  • Jeff Blowers
  • Geoffrey Lidster

Those in long-term care

  • Mary Metcalfe
  • Doreen Haw
  • Margaret Burton
  • George Brown
  • Jennifer Moad

Recently departed

  • Russell Dever
  • Edith Hyde

Anniversary of death

  • Jennifer Lowther
  • George Parker