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A Short History of St. Leonard's
The original parish of St Leonard's was formed in 1873 and the original Church was built in Northgate at a cost of £4,000.00, raised mainly be public subscription. It was consecrated by the Bishop of Lincoln, Christopher Wordsworth, on 28 January 1873.
The New St Leonard's
As early as 1966, Rev Lacey had voiced the need for anew church 'over the bridge' to serve the expanding housing estates on the northern side of the town. A number of additional factors weighed in favour of re-locating the church.
The project was begun by Canon E Kingsnorth while acting as Priest-in-charge and was completed by his successor, Rev B H Lewers, Team Rector. Newark District Council purchased the original St Leonard's vicarage and garden, the church and church hall, and agreed to provide a new site for a vicarage and church/community centre adjacent to Yorke Drive. The architect acting for the church was Mr Gordon Smith and the Newark District Council architect was Mr Stobbs.
Sunday 2 October 1977 saw the ceremony of Turning the First Turf, marking the site of the altar and was carried out by the Bishop of Southwell, the Right Reverend Denis Wakeling together with the Chairman of Newark District Council, Councillor Mrs Daisy Wilcox. The parishioners of St Leonard's were faced with raising £10,000 as their share of the cost of building and fitting the new Church.
Sunday 5 November 1978 saw the closure of the old church and the dedication of the new church by the Bishop of Southwell. Almost 300 people took part in the ceremony. The new Church has an impressive simplicity. A statue of the Resurrected Christ presides over the sanctuary. Although small (it accommodates 40 people) the church can be extended by the use of the Community Centre.
(Further information on St Leonard's churches, old and new, can be found in the book, Newark Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene by Brenda M Pask). |
