Places of worship in Leicester

Leicester has a long history which stretches back to pre-Roman times. Since then the population has grown continually, and keeping pace with this growth has been the building of numerous places of worship. Some still remain from the medieval period. However, it was during the 19th century, at the time of the industrial revolution, that saw the town's largest influx of population and correspondingly a large increase in places of worship. Adding to the number of these buildings was the accommodation required due to an increase in the various forms of nonconformism.

During the 20th century further places of worship have been built. Some in the suburbs - again to cater for the movement of population - and some for the divers faiths that arrived in the city from many parts of the world - especially in the latter part of the century.

The following is a list of the various denominations which have established their own buildings at some stage in Leicester's history. The restriction is the current boundary of the city :

  • Anglican
  • Apostolic Church
  • Assemblies of God
  • Baptist
  • Bible Hall Fellowship
  • Brethren
  • Calvinist Independent (Huntingtonians)
  • Catholic
  • Catholic Apostolic Church (Irvingites)
  • Chinese Christian Church
  • Christadelphian
  • Christ Gospel Church
  • Christian Scientists
  • Church of Christ
  • Church of God
  • Church of God of Prophecy
  • Congregational (Formerly Independent)
  • Elim Church
  • Evangelical Free Church
  • Evangelical Mission
  • Free Gospel
  • Greek Orthodox
  • Harvest City Church
  • Hindu
  • Independent Holiness Movement
  • Jehovah's Witness (Congregation of)
  • Jesus Army
  • Jewish / Hebrew Congregation
  • Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
  • Leicester Christian Fellowship
  • Living God's Church
  • Methodist
  • Muslim
  • New Jerusalem Church
  • New Testament Church of God
  • Polish Roman Catholic
  • Presbyterian
  • Salvation Army
  • Serbian Orthodox Church
  • Seventh Day Adventist Church
  • Shiloh Pentecostal Fellowship
  • Sikh
  • Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Spiritualist
  • Swedenborgians (New Church of)
  • True Jesus Church
  • Ukrainian Catholic Church
  • Union Churches
  • Unitarian
  • United Reformed Church
  • Universal Pentecostal Church
  • Wesleyan Holiness Church

References

A Brief History of Free Churches in Leicestershire & Rutland, Rev A A Betteridge

Places of Worship in the City of Leicester, Leicester Council of Faiths, 2004

A History of the County of Leicester, Volume 4, 1958

Earthly Kingdoms: A Report on Leicester Churches both past and present, Victorian Society, 1987

Where Leicester has Worshipped 2008

University Of Leicester Archaeology and Ancient History Interactive Geo map of sites