About LCI
Our Mission
Leeds Church Institute supports Christians, churches and faith organisations by organising formal talks, seminars, training and other educational activities. Our focus is on being an ecumenical faith presence in civic life, working with partners on justice issues for the benefit of all in the city.
We resource churches in their mission and ministry through consultancy, research, the development of collaborative projects.
We closed our resource centre based on New Market Street in 2023 and now employ a team of ‘Faith Leads’ who support the representation of churches and other faith communities in public life.
Our work focuses on three distinct themes:
- Faith and Creativity
- Faith at the Margins
- Faith and Racial Justice
We provide academic bursaries, publish a quarterly magazine and host the annual Hook Lecture to increase theological literacy and learning on social justice across the city.
Our History
“In everything touching the real welfare of the working people Hook was interested”
Dictionary of National Biography (1885)
Leeds Church Institute was founded in 1857 by Revd Walter Farquar Hook, who was pivotal in raising funds for a purpose-built library and lecture hall in Albion Place, which existed as our learning centre for over 100 years. He was the vicar of Leeds from 1837-59 and was responsible for the construction of the new Leeds Minster (Leeds Parish Church).
Victorian Leeds was a place of considerable contrast between industrial affluence and urban poverty. LCI for some time flourished as a place of lively debate at the interface between the church and contemporary society, as a library resource for members, and a place of learning for young people.
Hook fostered the building and support of 21 churches and 30 schools in Leeds and successfully lobbied government in support of marginalised communities.
Hook’s vision was of a ministry that combined dignified and inspiring worship in Church with committed social and evangelical work. He worked tirelessly for those impacted by poverty and economic marginalisation who lived in nearby industrial slums.
Hook’s statue stands in City Square and tomb laid is at Leeds Minster.
Hook’s wife, Anna Delicia Hook, wrote theologically and was active on numerous health and care committees in Leeds to address the inequalities that impacted minoritised urban communities.
As we approach our 170th year of theological learning in the city, we continue to support Christians, churches and faith communities to learn for a faithful city through academic bursaries, learning programmes, CityTheology magazine, and the annual Hook Lecture series.
We are now based on 43 The Calls, behind the magnificent Minster that Hook built and where he is now commemorated. We are privileged to continue his legacy of faithful learning for the common good and solidarity with marginalised communities.
Governance
Leeds Church Institute is a Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee.
We are a membership organisation and are governed by a Council of elected members. They govern LCI in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commissioners and they take responsibility for the life and work of LCI now and in the future. The Council meets regularly and the Director submits reports to Council.
You can find the Annual Impact Summary Report 2023 here and the complete Annual Report 2023 here.
Our Charity number is 220966 and our Company number is 00155840.
