Kirkstall in Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Church
Kirkstall Abbey
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 19, 2025
1. The Church Marker
There were spaces for the laybrothers at the west end of the church, another for sick and old monks called the retrochoir, and another for the Cistercian monks' seating or stalls at the east end of the church. There was little decoration or coloured glass in the windows because the Cistercians believed strongly in simplicity. The church was whitewashed and decorated with simple lines. At first the roof was covered with stone tiles but they were replaced by lead sheet during the later Middle Ages. The tower collapsed in 1779. The Victorian architect J.T. Micklethwaite (1843-1906) supervised repairs to the Abbey in 1892-6. The tall column supporting the tower dates from that time.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures.
Location. 53° 49.259′ N, 1° 36.402′ W. Marker is in Leeds, England, in West Yorkshire. It is in Kirkstall. It can be reached from Abbey Road.
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Regionally, this marker is in England’s Yorkshire & The Humber. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Church as a Road! (a few steps from this marker); Night Stairs (a few steps from this marker); The Kitchen (within shouting distance of this marker); The Chapter House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cloister (within shouting distance of this marker); Other Rooms Leading from The Cloister (within shouting distance of this marker); Changes in Abbey Life (within shouting distance of this marker); The Warming House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leeds.
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 19, 2025
2. Church Ruins, Kirkstall Abbey
Credits. This page was last revised on June 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
