Full Breakdown
Historic Leeds Church Sold at Auction for £100,000
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Sale of the Derelict Grade II-Listed Building
Auctioneers BTG Eddisons announced that St Mary’s In The Wood United Reformed Church on Commercial Street in Morley, Leeds, was sold for £100,000 earlier this week. The 19th-century Gothic-revival structure, built in 1878, has been vacant for more than 15 years and has not been used for worship since 2008.
Background and Prior Development Attempts
The church suffered extensive fire damage in June 2010, when a blaze broke out around 02:30 BST. The incident prompted the evacuation of 20 nearby residents to a local supermarket over concerns that the steeple might collapse. After the fire, a planning application to Leeds City Council proposed converting the site into a hotel, restaurant, and car park, but that proposal has since lapsed. A later plan to create 18 apartments also failed to materialise.
Property Details and Sale Information
The building is a Grade II-listed church, meaning it is recognised for its special architectural and historic interest. Despite the fire-related damage, the exterior retains its original Gothic-revival features. BTG Eddisons did not disclose whether the buyer is a commercial entity or a private individual.
Council Activity and Future Outlook
In 2023, Leeds City Council purchased the adjacent former Sunday School building—constructed in 1900—for use as a “learning and skills centre.” However, the council has not announced any specific plans for the former church itself, leaving its future use uncertain. The recent auction sale may open the possibility of redevelopment, but any such project would still require new planning permission from the council.