In the presence of the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson and Lord Mayor of Leeds, Cllr Dan Cohen, our 206th blue plaque was unveiled inside Leeds Minster on Sunday 19th October.
After a welcome by Canon Paul Maybury, Rector of the Minster and our Chair, Jenna Strover, Dr Kevin Grady was invited to speak about one of the most significant figures in Victorian Leeds.
Dr Hook came to Leeds in 1837, having been headhunted by the Trustees of Leeds Parish Church. They had heard of his illustriuous background; he had been a close associate of the Prince Regent, later to be George IV, been to Oxford University, been a curate in Birmingham and a vicar at Holy Trinity, Coventry. He had a reputation for being an outstanding preacher, a man of immense energy and pugnacious in argument, especially in the later battles he had with Whig/Liberal Dissenters in the town. He had a disarming sense of humour and could transcend class barriers to commune with people of all backgrounds. His committed work to ease the plight of the working classes earned him affection and respect.
When he arrived in Leeds, he faced two challenges. First of all, the growth of the population sparked by the Industrial Revolution meant that the previous incumbent, Rev Richard Fawcett and his two curates, were overwhelmed and could only deal with baptisms, weddings and funerals. Secondly, he was up against the ‘established’ religion in Leeds; Methodism had risen to the challenge of bringing religion to the masses, helped by the fact that they had 27 chapels against only 8 Anglican churches.
With his striking figure, massively built with heavy jowls and flaming red hair, he had an immediate impact. Very quickly, having heard about his preaching, the congregations at the Parish Church were so large that there was only standing room available.
However, the state of the Parish Church was parlous. Surplices were in rags, service books in tatters and the building was in danger of collapse. Within a year, it was demolished and the replacement that we know so well was opened in 1841, financed by donations and pennies from the poor. It was one of the first Anglican churches designed for a surpliced choir and sacramental worship. The daily choral services and weekly celebration of Holy Communion, introduced by Hook, were gradually adopted by many churches in and outside of Leeds.
Under his guidance, the parish was reorganised, giving rise to new churches and parish schools. By the time Hook left Leeds in 1859, there were 18 town churches, 18 suburban churches, 27 new schools and 69 clergys. He provided the model for how the Church of England should respond to the needs of the people.
After leaving Leeds, Hook became Dean of Chichester Cathedral, where he is buried. In addition to the blue plaque there is a memorial in the Minster Sanctuary and a statue in City Square.
The wording on the plaque is as follows:
‘Walter Farquhar Hook
Vicar of Leeds 1837-1859, who with formidable energy and personality, led the great revival of Anglican worship in Leeds. He rebuilt this Parish Church (1837-1841) and built a further 17 new churches and 27 new schools. Deemed ‘the greatest parish priest of the nineteenth century
1798-1875′
The plaque will be sited on the wall outside the main doors when the necessary permissions are obtained.
Jane Taylor
Events Committee
