St John Fisher & St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Burley in Wharfedale
Bradford Road, Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 7PX
The Roman Catholic Church of SS John Fisher & St Thomas More in Burley in Wharfedale, which is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds, was opened in 1932, and holds historic significance as one of the very first churches in England to be dedicated to these two English martyrs - even before they were canonised (in 1935).
The church design is in a simplified Early Christian style, with a light interior influenced by the Arts & Crafts movement. A bright airy nave with white plaster walls exposed red brick detailing and parabolic arches support an open timber roof, giving the interior a simple but elegant character.
Behind the sanctuary, in the canted apse, are two stained glass windows depicting the patron saints and in the Lady Chapel, an attractive stained-glass window of the Madonna and child.
By the late 1980's the church had become a thriving centre of local Catholic worship, and benefited from a major restoration, with much of the fabric renewed, a new foyer and passageway to the hall were added, and the layout was rearranged to cater for the liturgical requirements of the 2nd Vatican Council. The new altar was consecrated in October 1989.
In 2022, the parish received national recognition within the Diocese of Leeds by winning CAFOD's Live Simply Award for its community-led environmental project "The Tree of Life", and recently, a "peace garden" has been added at the back of the Presbytery.
Come and see and feel the peace!
Timings
- Saturday 19 September:
- 1000-1600
Location & directions
Bradford Road, Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 7PX
- Contact on day:
- Joe Czternastek
- Telephone number:
- +447976875099
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
Accessibility details
The large car park offers ample parking for all visitors, and a number of disabled spaces are marked out. Access to the church for disabled persons and wheelchairs is via a ramp to the entrance which is situated on the right side of the church. There is an accesible toilet, located in the foyer, and further toilet facilities, including a separate disabled toilet in the entrance area to the hall - accessible by steps from the foyer, or for wheelchairs, through the Hall entrance directly from the car park.
