An historic and memorable service took place at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds on Sunday May 20, Pentecost Sunday.
The Rt. Revd Paul Slater presided at his first confirmation service as the Bishop of Kirstall within the ancient ruins of Kirkstall Abbey itself.
Last month, a petition to the Queen to re-designate Bishop Paul as Bishop of ‘Kirkstall’, having been known as the Bishop of ‘Richmond’, was successful. The new title reflects more closely his role as Area Bishop in the pastoral care and leadership of the Leeds Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Leeds.
The combined congregations of the Abbeylands Team churches met in Kirkstall Abbey on Pentecost Sunday for the confirmation of 10 of their members.
Bishop Paul informed the congregation that there are fifty-five Richmonds in the world but only one Kirkstall – so this, the first time a Bishop of Kirkstall has led a service in Kirkstall Abbey, was very special. The sun shone on the congregation gathered in the Chancel of the C12th church. One of the candidates, a student at Leeds Trinity University, had been baptised by full immersion outside St Margaret’s Horsforth the day before while the oldest candidate had been baptised in hospital on the day she was born 65 years ago.
Kirkstall Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery on the north bank of the River Aire. It was founded in 1152 but was disestablished during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. It is now in the care of Leeds City Council.
Team Rector, the Revd Nigel Sinclair, said "Four years ago the churches worked with museum staff on the ‘Happy Monks of Kirkstall Abbey’ community project and since then we have been invited back for services, Holy Week events and a Nativity play."