Leeds Vineyard
 

What is Vineyard House?    

20190724-084822842(1) HG PS -

Vineyard House was originally a Parochial Institute for nearby St Michael's Church, built in 1883 by George Corson.

Corson came from Scotland and was an architect with a prominent Leeds practice responsible for several large houses in Headingley and many buildings in Leeds including the Grand Theatre, Leeds Central Library and an extension to Leeds General Infirmary. Corson lived in Headingley where he died in 1910 aged 81, and is buried in Lawnswood Cemetery which he himself had designed.

You can listen to a lecture about George Corson by Eveleigh Bradford here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1c62I6Ofk8E 

The Parochial Institute derived from the efforts of the Vicar of St Michael’s Church, the Reverend F J Wood to create a community building. The corner stone of the Parochial Institute was laid on 28th July 1883 by The Worshipful The Mayor of Leeds (Edwin Woodhouse).

Leeds Vineyard took ownership on 10 December 2018.

Vision for Vineyard House

Leeds Vineyard has a vision to see this 140 year-old iconic Headingley building restored and put to use for another 140 years feeding the hungry and serving the community. 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to acknowledge the 140-year heritage we have received and re-establish Vineyard House as a famous building bringing life, light, music and hospitality to the Headingley community. For rooms to echo with the joyful sounds of young people and children, of music being played and art created - for the building to radiate warmth for those seeking support and help. A venue where Christian compassion finds full expression; a place where the stranger is welcome, where anyone can pray, where the lonely and vulnerable will feel safe, where the hungry are fed and the community is served.

Currently

As a church we rent space for our Sunday worship gathering from our friends at Headingley Methodist Church. We also use that building for other events and ministries including for children and young people, and for the work of the Child Contact Centre (known as "The Vine").

There is much development and renovation to be done but at the time of writing (March 2023) Vineyard House already provides a much-needed venue for various activities: various community groups use the rooms regularly; a Food Pantry is based there; youth groups take place on Fridays and Sundays; other charities use it as an office base and the church runs meetings and training events. In the pipeline is: a Prayer Room; a long-term base for the Child Contact Centre;  and a Counselling service aimed at improving mental health in the local community.

Architectural Presentation Boards including concept proposals

2019-03-24 Presentation - PlanThe appointed architect for the Vineyard House project Stephen Dixon from Calls Architecture has helped us deepen our knowledge of how St Michaels Parochial Institute was originally designed and how it has changed since its construction for various community activities over time. Research in the West Yorkshire Archive Service has allowed us to create two exceptional boards detailing the history of the building and we are very fortunate to be able to showcase on these the original architectural drawings by George Corson. The design presentation boards are well worth a closer look and include architectural layouts and concept proposals of how we might remodel Vineyard House.  


FAQ and Timeline