on the rise: Pancake races mark day parish church is designated as Minster

A YORKSHIRE church enjoyed pancake races on the day it also celebrated being given the status of Minster, an ancient title widespread in Anglo Saxon England.

Choristers and schoolchildren joined in the pre-Lent tradition at Leeds Parish Church which was yesterday granted the title of Minster by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, John Packer.

He said it would coincide with a year of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

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Leeds Parish Church will be officially designated as Leeds Minster at a service on Sunday, September 2 which will coincide with the original dedication of the parish church on the same date in 1841.

Bishop Packer said: “Leeds Parish Church has a long and distinguished history at the heart of Christian ministry in Leeds.

“The establishing of Minster status affirms the importance of its role in God’s mission to the whole of the city.”

The title Minster which was widespread in Anglo Saxon England and has undergone a recent resurgence. Over the past twenty years, churches in the north of England such as Dewsbury, Sunderland, Preston, Rotherham, Halifax and Grimsby have all received the designation.

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The present church of St Peter’s stands on a site which has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years.

It is believed the earliest building on the site would have been a Saxon Minster.

Rector of Leeds Canon Tony Bundock said: “In reclaiming the ancient title of Minster, I believe the church will be strengthened as a place of welcome and hospitality to the changing culture of the city, focusing on the Celtic model of daily prayer, mission and service.”

It it would also help to promote the church as a tourist destination, he added.

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