Salem Chapel, Leeds
in Leeds, United KingdomCategory: Attraction
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Waterloo Court, 17 Hunslet Rd, Leeds LS10 1QN, UK Print route »
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Salem Chapel is a former Congregational church, located on Hunslet Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated opposite the former Tetley's Brewery.Built in 1791 by the Rev Edward Parsons, Salem is the oldest surviving non-conformist chapel in Leeds city centre.
Salem Chapel is a Grade II listed building and its distinctive curved façade was added in 1906.
The historic chapel was the birthplace of Leeds United Football Club in 1919. Salem’s hall was the venue for a public meeting in which Leeds City F.C. was disbanded over financial misdemeanours, and Leeds United F.C. was formed.
The chapel was closed as a place of worship in 2001. The psychologist and writer Reverend Harry Guntrip preached the last sermon.
In 2009, the building was purchased by Professor Adam Beaumont, founder of telecommunications company aql. The building was renovated and restored, and now houses aql’s head offices, as well as data centres, an exhibition space and a conference facility.
On 17 November 2011, Salem Chapel was awarded a blue plaque by the Leeds Civic Trust in recognition of its architectural and religious significance. The plaque was unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Rev’d Alan Taylor.
In February 2015, Salem Chapel hosted then-Prime Minister David Cameron and then-Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne for talks as part of the government's Northern Powerhouse proposal. Osborne returned to Salem Chapel in February 2017 with Lord Jim O'Neill to launch the inaugural Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) report.
