Fine & Country Feature Property in Rawdon , Leeds 19- Unique Gothic Splendour

October 2007

Set within a heavily wooded conservation area within the famous Golden Triangle, Woodlands Drive Rawdon, Leeds 19 is arguably the best-kept secret in North West Leeds.  To many people, its very existence comes as something of a surprise – yet it boasts many of the finest properties in the area, most of them originally built for wealthy Bradford mill-owners.

In this altogether remarkable private road, no property is more exceptional than St Joseph’s Court. Formerly the Grand Catholic Church of Our Lady of Good Council and St Joseph, built in neo-Gothic style at the beginning of the last century, and occupying an elevated position commanding wonderful views, it is now divided into 3 very individual  properties. And of these, Number 3 is the largest and most imposing .

Small wonder then that Amanda and Peter Quinn jumped at the chance of buying this truly unique property as soon as it became for sale 4 years ago.  “We lived just 300 yards away, and regularly used to walk past the property admiring it,” says Amanda, who, having been an estate agent herself in an earlier life, was well acquainted with the area. “Although it was rented at the time, and was not in pristine condition, we knew it was exactly what we wanted. We simply had to have it!”

Occupying what was once the chancery end of the church, Number 3 boasts the majority of its original gothic features. Pointed stone arched windows and doorways are everywhere, and the extraordinary, double height master bedroom features exposed red bricks said to have been specially hand-made in Rome. Both this room and the sitting room below – part of a magnificent, split-level open plan living, dining and kitchen area – share the unique, angled walls of the original church’s chancery end. Indeed, the steps up to the living area reveal that this was where the original alter stood.

The first thing Amanda and Peter did was to have underfloor heating installed, with solid oak flooring to the entrance, and marble for the dining hall and kitchen - complete with inlaid mosaic features – was used. Solid oak doors, each one specially made to echo the Gothic theme, were also added, together with new lighting and a solid wood and granite kitchen. Outside, an attractive, splitlevel decked garden was professionally designed.

Living here, says Amanda, is an absolute joy. “Some people might think that living in a converted church could be a bit spooky, but on the contrary, we find it wonderfully calming. It is so quiet and peaceful here.  You wake up each morning to the sound of bird song, and there are some wonderful walks in the surrounding woods, which hide all manner of treasures – old gateways and other overgrown features from the great houses that once stood here.”

And yet, unbelievably, this almost magical part of Rawdon is just 7 miles from the centre of Leeds, and 15 minutes’ drive from Leeds - Bradford Airport.

With all this going for the house, why are Amanda and Peter even thinking of moving? “Basically, we’re looking for a new challenge,” she says. Nevertheless, they readily admit that they will miss the unique features of  his truly remarkable property – not least being the fact that Spike Milligan was actually married in what is now their sitting room…!

To view the full sales particulars for the property please click here.